The ultrafast dynamics of HBr–water clusters: Influences on ion-pair formation

The ultrafast dynamics of HBr–water clusters have been investigated using pump–probe spectroscopy coupled with reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry. HBr clusters, mixed HBr–water clusters, and protonated water clusters are observed in the mass spectra. Dynamic studies reveal that when an HBr chromophore of a cluster with less than five solvent molecules is excited electronically, solvent reorganization occurs to form the solvent separated ion-pair [S. M. Hurley et al., Science 298, 202 (2002)]. The present paper focuses on the influence of clustering on the dynamics of the C and D states of HBr. In addition, further evidence is presented which confirms that complete dissolution of HBr requires five solvent molecules in the isolated species found in complexes comprised of pure water or HBr/H2O mixtures.