Formation of negative cluster ions with water molecules in nonpolar liquid

Formation of negative cluster ions with water molecules in nonpolar liquid is considered in a wide range of water concentration. The experimental approaches based on the photoconductivity technique have been developed which allow one to measure the ion mobility and investigate the electron photodetachment from negative ions as well as the electron autodetachment kinetics for short-lived negative ions. It has been established that, in the range of low water concentrations 10^-5-10^-4 M, the main part of ions exists in a form of the smallest clusters A^-(H₂O). The big ion clusters were observed when the water concentration was close to the solubility limit (~10^-3 M). The rate constants of formation and decay of the smallest cluster ions were determined. The estimations of the equilibrium constant for formation of the cluster ions with two water molecules were obtained.