STRUCTURAL DETERMINATION OF THE HYDROPHOBIC HYDRATION SHELL OF KR

We report the first direct measurement by extended x-ray absorption fi ne structure spectroscopy of the hydrophobic hydration shell of the no ble gas krypton. Measurements were made in aqueous solution at gas pre ssures in the range 20 to 100 bars and at a temperature of 320 K. Data of excellent quality were collected taking advantage of the high bril liance of a third generation synchrotron radiation source. An advanced data analysis procedure has been applied to determine the Kr-O partia l radial distribution function in the short range.