Matrix effects on the optimized geometries and the electronic
properties of acid−base complexes XHB, with
HX = HF, HCl, HBr, HCN and B = NH3, have been modeled
using ab initio methods (6-31G** and
6-311++G** basis sets) in two different ways. Model A
corresponds to the Onsager SCRF model, and
model B corresponds to a homogeneous electric field F =
2qe
0/r
e
2 =
2.88 × 105
q V/cm of varying
strength
generated by two distant charges +qe
0 and
−qe
0 of opposite sign placed at distances of
r
e = 100 Å. In both
models, the minima and reaction coordinate of proton transfer has been
calculated. As the electric interactions
are increased, both models predict an increase of the dipole moments
associated with a proton shift from X
to B, i.e., a conversion of the molecular to the zwitterionic
complexes. Both models predicts double minima
for some electric fields; in model B electric fields are found where
the neutral complex is not stable, evolving
to the ion pair complex. These fields can be used to characterize
the acidity of the donor toward the base
without the necessity of assuming a proton-transfer equilibrium.
In both models a similar field-induced
correlation between the two hydrogen bond distances
r
1 ≡ X···H and r
2
≡ H···B is observed for all
configurations. This correlation indicates in the molecular
complexes a hydrogen bond compression when
the proton is shifted toward the base and in the zwitterionic complexes
a widening. The minimum of the
X···B distance r
1 +
r
2 occurs when the proton-transfer coordinate
r
1 − r
2 =
r
01 − r
02, where
r
01 and r
02
represent the distances X···H and H···B+ in
the free donors.