| We perform Restrained hybrid Monte Carlo simulations to compute the equilibrium constant of the dissociation reaction of HF in HF(H 2O) 7. We find that, like in the bulk, hydrofluoric acid, is a weak acid also in the cubic HF(H2O)7 cluster, and that its acidity is higher at lower T. This latter phenomenon has a (vibrational) entropic origin, namely it is due to the reduction of the (negative) TDeltaS contribution to the variation of free energy between the reactant and product. We found also a temperature dependence of the reactions mechanism. At low T (≤225 K) the dissociation reaction follows a concerted path, with the H atoms belonging to the relevant hydrogen bond chain moving synchronously. At higher T (300 K), first two hydrogen atoms move together, forming an intermediate metastable state having the structure of an Eigen ion H9O 4 +, then the third hydrogen migrates completing the reaction. We also compute the dissociation rate constant, krp. We find that at very low T (≤75 K), krp depends strongly on the temperature, while it is almost constant at higher Ts. With respect to the bulk, the HF dissociation in HF(H2O)7 is about one order of magnitude faster. This is due to a lower free energy barrier for dissociation in the cluster. |
