The structure and vibrational spectra of proton solvates in solution

The experimental and theoretical studies on the structure and properties of the simple stable proton hydrate are surveyed. It is shown that the hydrate is the ion $(\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{O}\dots\mathrm{H}\dots\mathrm{OH}_2)^+$. The mechanism of the generation of the continuous absorption observed in the IR spectra of solutions of acids and strong bases is examined. It has been found that a common feature of the structures of all stable proton solvates – the ions $(\mathrm{A}\dots\mathrm{H}\dots\mathrm{A})^\pm$ – is the presence in the latter of a symmetrical hydrogen bridge, the properties of which hardly depend on the nature of the ligand $\mathrm{A}$. The constancy of the parameters of the hydrogen brige provided a basis for the creation of a unique quantitative theory of the catalytic action of acids and bases. The bibliography includes 103 references.