The gas-phase structures of alkali metal cation-cytosine complexes generated by electrospray ionization are probed via infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. IRMPD action spectra of five alkali metal cation-cytosine complexes exhibit both similar and distinctive spectral features over the range of ~1000-1900 cm(-1). The IRMPD spectra of t...

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is known to be influenced by the identity of the alkali metal cation in the electrolyte; however, a satisfactory explanation for this phenomenon has not been developed. Here we present the results of experimental and theoretical studies aimed at elucidating the effects of electrolyte cation size on the intrinsic activity and selectivity of metal catalysts fo...

Anion binding by neutral hosts in organic solvents can be inhibited by the presence of alkali metal cations. The binding inhibition is due to salt ion-pairing which increases in the order Cs(+) < K(+) < Na(+). The binding inhibition can be reversed by using heteroditopic hosts that simultaneously bind both the metal cation and the anion. The largest cation-induced enhancements are observed with...

The Watson-Crick structure of DNA is among the most well-known molecular structures of our time. However, alternative base-pairing motifs are also known to occur, often depending on base sequence, pH, or the presence of cations. Pairing of cytosine (C) bases induced by the sharing of a single proton (C-H(+)-C) may give rise to the so-called i-motif, which occurs primarily in expanded trinucleot...

The kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at gold electrodes is affected by concentration alkali metal cations and electrolyte pH. At moderately alkaline pH, increasing cation greatly enhances HER activity. Cations are proposed to help stabilize transition state rate-determining Volmer step a favorable interaction with dissociating water molecule (*H–OHδ−–cat+).

A new working principle for detecting inorganic cation binding by water-soluble calix[4]arenes involves the displacement of a fluorescent azoalkane as guest. Fluorescence regeneration is observed for various metal ions, and binding of monovalent cations (alkali and ammonium) to p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene is detected and quantified for the first time.

A nonperturbative theory is presented which allows us to calculate the solvation free energy of polarizable ions near water-vapor and water-oil interfaces. The theory predicts that larger halogen anions are adsorbed at the interface, while the alkali metal cations are repelled from it. The density profiles calculated theoretically are similar to those obtained using molecular dynamics simulatio...

The potential range of the transition region between the diffusion-limited reduction to oxidation of hydrogen peroxide depends strongly on the nature of the cation of the supporting alkaline electrolyte. Non-covalent interactions between the hydrated alkali metal cations and chemisorbed OH species on platinum influence the potential-dependent reaction kinetics.

New salicylaldimine nickel complexes, comprising only earth-abundant elements, have been developed for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution in aqueous media. The second-sphere ether functionalities on the periphery of the complexes enhance the electrocatalytic activity in the presence of alkali metal cations. The electrocatalysts demonstrate improved performances especially in the economical and...