Knowledge Bank

Hydrated, singly-charged [MOH]$+$ (M=Mg,Ca) clusters have been investigated using mass-selective cryogenic infrared spectroscopy. Spectra of [MOH]$+\cdot$ (H$2$O) reveal broad features beginning at $n=3$ that approach 1000 cm$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">-1</mrow>}$ in width at $n=5$, indicative of large amplitude motion in the water network despite ion temperatures below 40 K. Comparison to calculated structures and spectra help to elucidate the structural and charge-separation dynamics occurring in these clusters.