SOLVATION AND REACTIVITY IN POLAR-SOLVENTS FROM A CLUSTER VIEWPOINT

Heterogenous clusters of composition AB-n offer a unique viewpoint fo r studying the fundamentals of solvation. By varying the size of the c lusters over a wide range, n=1 to many hundreds, information is obtain ed about structural, vibrational, electronic, thermodynamic and dynami c aspects of both polar and nonpolar solvation. The approach has been particularly profitable for elucidating structural details and mechani sms of dynamic solvation and solvent directed reactivity in polar solv ents.