Using low-temperature NMR (1H, 19F) technique in the slow exchange regime, the solutions containing tetrabutylammonium (TBA) acetate and HF have been studied in an aprotic freon mixture, CDF3/CDF 2Cl, exhibiting a dielectric permittivity, which increases strongly by lowering the temperature. Two different hydrogen bonded anionic clusters, a 1:1 cluster of the type AcOδ-⋯H⋯F -1+δ+ ([AcOHF]-) and a 2:1 cluster of the type AcOH⋯F-⋯HOAc ([(AcOH)2F]-) have been detected in equilibrium with each other, both forming ion pairs with the TBA countercation. [AcOHF]- exhibits an extremely strong hydrogen bond, with a proton shared between partially negatively charged oxygen and fluorine atoms. The NMR chemical shifts and scalar spin-spin coupling constants, 1J(FH), have been measured in the temperature range between 110 and 160 K, where separate NMR signals are observed for both species. In addition, H/D isotope effects on the 19F NMR chemical shielding have been measured for both clusters. In contrast to the related complexes [(FH) nF]- (n=1-4) studied previously, the NMR parameters of [AcOHF]- and of [(AcOH)2F]- depend strongly on temperature. This effect is associated with the increasing polarity of the solvent with decreasing temperatures, established earlier, which displaces the proton from fluorine to oxygen. As a motive power of this conversion, preferential solvation of the compact fluoride ion as compared to acetate is proposed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-12
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Molecular Structure
Volume700
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 20 Aug 2004

    Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

    Research areas

  • Acetic acid, Fluoride anion, Hydrogen bond, Isotope effect, Low-temperature NMR

ID: 100704674