Experiments and simulations of ion-enhanced interfacial chemistry on aqueous NaCl aerosols

NMR probing of structural peculiarities in ionic solutions close to critical point

(1)H, (23)Na, (35)Cl, (79)Br, and (81)Br NMR chemical shifts (delta) and signal half widths (Delta(12)) have been measured in aqueous electrolyte mixtures [tetrahydrofuran/H(2)ONaCl and 3-methylpyridine (3MP)H(2)ONaBr] at different mass fractions of salt (X) in the one-phase region, close to their lower critical solution points (T(CL)). Discontinuous changes in slope of delta=f(X) and Delta(12)=f(X) have been found in (23)Na and (81)Br NMR spectra of 3MP/water/NaBr solution at X approximately 0.1 and T=301 K. The dependency of (1)H NMR signals of 3MP is continuous over the whole investigated range of X=0.002-0.2, whereas changes in the slope of H(2)O chemical shifts are hardly noticeable. In the two-phase region, i.e., at T>T(CL), a doubling of all NMR signals has been observed. The sensitivity of NMR parameters depends more on composition of solution for anions (Cl(-) and Br(-)) than for cations (Na(+)). A very strong relaxation effect for (81)Br nuclei with relaxation rates reaching 14 000 s(-1) was observed. The results are interpreted in terms of ion-molecular clustering and changes in coherency of dipole configurations of water molecules during supramolecular restructuring of solutions.

Initial stages of water adsorption on NaCl (100) studied by scanning polarization force microscopy

Scanning polarization force microscopy was used to study the topography, polarizability, and contact potential of cleaved NaCl(100) as a function of the relative humidity (RH) between < 5% and 40%. In this humidity range there are reversible changes in surface potential and polarizability, while large scale modifications in step topography and irreversible ion redistribution occur above 40% RH. In dry conditions the surface contact potential was more negative near atomic steps than over flat terraces. As humidity was increased, changes were observed in the local polarizability of the steps due to ionic solvation, and the contact potential of the terraces became more negative. At 40% RH surface-potential differences between steps and terraces could no longer be detected. These results are interpreted in terms of preferential anion solvation, initially localized near steps, and later spreading over the entire surface.

Dynamical effects on vibrational and electronic spectra of hydroperoxyl radical water clusters

We have carried out ab initio molecular-dynamics studies on hydroperoxyl water clusters. Our studies are complemented by optimization, frequency, and excited-state calculations. The three main results we obtained are (a) the dynamically averaged energy gap between the highest-occupied molecular orbital and the lowest-unoccupied molecular orbital monotonically decreases as the number of water molecules is increased in a hydroperoxyl water cluster system, (b) the dynamical averaging of the potential-energy surface at finite temperature broadens the electronic excitation spectrum and changes the infrared spectrum in nontrivial ways, and (c) the structural analysis of our dynamics simulation indicates that the oxygen-oxygen distance in a solvated hydroperoxyl-water cluster is very similar to that found in protonated water clusters (Zundel: H5O2+) inspite of the fact that the latter possesses a positive charge and the hydroperoxyl-water cluster does not. Dynamical charge analysis and the weak acidity of HO2 are used to justify this result.

Diffusion at the Liquid−Vapor Interface of an Aqueous Ionic Solution Utilizing a Dual Simulation Technique

The recently proposed dual simulation technique [J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 6595.], with slight modification, was used to determine the diffusion coefficients for a variety of regions of a 2.2 M sodium chloride aqueous solution with a vapor-liquid interface. The diffusion of all species was shown to be isotropic far away from the interface, but at different regions in the interface, the diffusion coefficients parallel and perpendicular to the interface did not agree for water and chloride. Specifically, interfacial water diffusion parallel to the interface was significantly higher than diffusion perpendicular to the interface. Chloride ions showed even larger anisotropicity in its diffusion coefficient at the interface, with its perpendicular diffusion being similar to its bulk value, but parallel diffusion being much higher, corresponding to the region of highest chloride ion concentration. The origin for this was found to be hydrogen bonds with waters which are highly oriented perpendicular to the interface, somewhat impeding chloride ion diffusion perpendicular to the interface. While sodium ion diffusion increased at the interface, its interfacial concentration is low in that region, and its diffusion was fairly isotropic throughout all regions.

Dissolution dynamics of NaCl nanocrystal in liquid water

The dissolution dynamics of a NaCl nanocrystal in liquid water was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The dissolution process was found to start with a Cl(-) ion at a corner site, followed by a Na(+) ion nearby. Both show directional preference in the dissolution path. An ion sequence with alternating charge, i.e., Cl(-), Na(+), Cl(-), Na(+), etc. was found to dominate the dissolution process. This image can be understood from the ionic hydration structures and the Coulomb interaction between the ions.

Electro-osmotic flow of a model electrolyte

Electro-osmotic flow is studied by nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations in a model system chosen to elucidate various factors affecting the velocity profile and facilitate comparison with existing continuum theories. The model system consists of spherical ions and solvent, with stationary, uniformly charged walls that make a channel with a height of 20 particle diameters. We find that hydrodynamic theory adequately describes simple pressure-driven (Poiseuille) flow in this model. However, Poisson-Boltzmann theory fails to describe the ion distribution in important situations, and therefore continuum fluid dynamics based on the Poisson-Boltzmann ion distribution disagrees with simulation results in those situations. The failure of Poisson-Boltzmann theory is traced to the exclusion of ions near the channel walls resulting from reduced solvation of the ions in that region. When a corrected ion distribution is used as input for hydrodynamic theory, agreement with numerical simulations is restored. An analytic theory is presented that demonstrates that repulsion of the ions from the channel walls increases the flow rate, and attraction to the walls has the opposite effect. A recent numerical study of electro-osmotic flow is reanalyzed in the light of our findings, and the results conform well to our conclusions for the model system.

Unified Molecular Picture of the Surfaces of Aqueous Acid, Base, and Salt Solutions

The molecular structure of the interfacial regions of aqueous electrolytes is poorly understood, despite its crucial importance in many biological, technological, and atmospheric processes. A long-term controversy pertains between the standard picture of an ion-free surface layer and the strongly ion specific behavior indicating in many cases significant propensities of simple inorganic ions for the interface. Here, we present a unified and consistent view of the structure of the air/solution interface of aqueous electrolytes containing monovalent inorganic ions. Molecular dynamics calculations show that in salt solutions and bases the positively charged ions, such as alkali cations, are repelled from the interface, whereas the anions, such as halides or hydroxide, exhibit a varying surface propensity, correlated primarily with the ion polarizability and size. The behavior of acids is different due to a significant propensity of hydronium cations for the air/solution interface. Therefore, both cations and anions exhibit enhanced concentrations at the surface and, consequently, these acids (unlike bases and salts) reduce the surface tension of water. The results of the simulations are supported by surface selective nonlinear vibrational spectroscopy, which reveals among other things that the hydronium cations are present at the air/solution interface. The ion specific propensities for the air/solution interface have important implications for a whole range of heterogeneous physical and chemical processes, including atmospheric chemistry of aerosols, corrosion processes, and bubble coalescence.

Water-Catalyzed Dehalogenation Reactions of the Isomer of CBr4 and Its Reaction Products and a Comparison to Analogous Reactions of the Isomers of Di- and Trihalomethanes

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the UV photolysis of a typical tetrahalomethane, CBr4, in water and acetonitrile/water was performed. Ultraviolet photolysis of low concentrations of CBr4 in water mostly leads to the production of four HBr leaving groups and CO2. Picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (Ps-TR3) experiments and ab initio calculations indicate that water-catalyzed O-H insertion/HBr elimination of the isomer of CBr4 and subsequent reactions of its products lead to the formation of these products. The UV photolyses of di-, tri-, and tetrahalomethanes at low concentrations in water-solvated environments are compared to one another. This comparison enables a general reaction scheme to be deduced that can account for the different products produced by UV photolysis of low concentrations of di-, tri-, and tetrahalomethanes in water. The fate of the (halo)formaldehyde intermediate in the chemical reaction mechanism is the key to determining how many strong acid leaving groups are produced and which carbon atom final product is likely formed by UV photolysis of a polyhalomethane at low concentrations in a water-solvated environment.

Electron Spectroscopy of Aqueous Solution Interfaces Reveals Surface Enhancement of Halides

Chalcogenide aerogels based entirely on semiconducting II-VI or IV-VI frameworks have been prepared from a general strategy that involves oxidative aggregation of metal chalcogenide nanoparticle building blocks followed by supercritical solvent removal. The resultant materials are mesoporous, exhibit high surface areas, can be prepared as monoliths, and demonstrate the characteristic quantum-confined optical properties of their nanoparticle components. These materials can be synthesized from a variety of building blocks by chemical or photochemical oxidation, and the properties can be further tuned by heat treatment. Aerogel formation represents a powerful yet facile method for metal chalcogenide nanoparticle assembly and the creation of mesoporous semiconductors.

Structure of protonated water clusters: Low-energy structures and finite temperature behavior

The structure of protonated water clusters H+(H2O)n (n=5-22) are examined by two Monte Carlo methods in conjunction with the OSS2 potential [L. Ojamae, I. Shavitt, and S. J. Singer J. Chem. Phys. 109, 5547 (1998)]. The basin-hopping method is employed to explore the OSS2 potential energy surface and to locate low-energy structures. The topology of the "global minimum," the most stable low-energy structure, changes from single ring to multiple ring to polyhedral cage as the cluster size grows. The temperature dependence of the cluster geometry is examined by carrying out parallel tempering Monte Carlo simulations. Over the temperature range we studied (25-330 K), all water clusters undergo significant structural changes. The trends are treelike structures dominating at high temperature and single-ring structures appearing in slightly lower temperatures. For n> or =7, an additional transition from single ring to multiple rings appears as the temperature decreases. Only for n> or =16 do polyhedral structures dominate the lowest temperature range. Our results indicate very dynamic structural changes at temperature range relevant to atmospheric chemistry and current experiments. The structures and properties of medium-sized protonated clusters in this temperature range are far from their global minimum cousins. The relevance of these findings to recent experiments and theoretical simulations is also discussed.

The heterogeneous interaction of HOCl with solid KBr substrates: The catalytic role of adsorbed halogens

The heterogeneous reactivity of HOCl on solid KBr at ambient temperature has been studied using a Knudsen flow reactor. On solid KBr steady-state uptake experiments reveal the formation of Br- and Cl-containing reaction products formed in secondary reactions such as Br(2), BrCl, HOBr, BrOCl, Cl(2) and Cl(2)O with the latter two predominating in the late stages of the reaction. The uptake coefficient gamma spanning a range between 0.15 and 1 x 10(-3) and product yields of HOCl strongly depend on the nature of the solid sample, whether grain, ground grain or thin sprayed film, as well as on sample processing such as pumping and/or heating. Furthermore, the presence of adsorbed halogen species such as Br(2)(a) are crucial for the kinetics of the reaction of HOCl with solid KBr substrates. The presence of surface-adsorbed water (SAW) leads to deactivation of KBr whereas mechanical stress such as grinding leads to the formation of surface defects that become reaction centers. Desorption of SAW at T > 620 K induces high reactivity of the KBr sample at ambient temperature. A reaction mechanism encompassing all significant observations including unusual autocatalytic activity is given as there is no direct reaction of HOCl with solid KBr. It stresses the importance of adsorbed Br-containing species such as Br(2)(a) and HBr(a) that initiate the heterogeneous chemistry of HOCl on solid KBr in the presence of SAW. The role of surface acidity and SAW for the extent of reaction is emphasized.

Low-energy electron induced restructuring of water monolayers on NaCl(100)

The influence of electron irradiation on the controversially discussed monolayer structure of H(2)O on NaCl(100) is investigated with helium atom diffraction before and after a low-damage low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) experiment. The ordered (1x1) structure observed initially with He atoms is found to be transformed to a stable c(4x2) structure after a 90 eV electron dosage of only 10(15) electrons cm(-2) or about 2 incident electrons per adsorbate molecule. Based on previously reported structure models for the two phases, the transition is attributed to a reorientation, and a possible compression of the water film induced by the electrons.

MOLECULAR BEAM STUDIES OF GAS-LIQUID INTERFACES

Molecular beam scattering experiments provide a way to disentangle the elementary steps involved in energy transfer and chemical reactions between gases and liquids. After surveying the history and recent progress in this field, we review studies of the kinematics of gas-liquid collisions and proton exchange of HCl, DCl, and HBr with supercooled sulfuric acid and liquid glycerol. These experiments help to clarify the role of the surface region in controlling trapping and interfacial- and bulk-phase reactions.

Efficient dehalogenation of polyhalomethanes and production of strong acids in aqueous environments: Water-catalyzed O–H-insertion and HI-elimination reactions of isodiiodomethane (CH2I–I) with water

A combined experimental and theoretical study of the ultraviolet photolysis of CH2I2 in water is reported. Ultraviolet photolysis of low concentrations of CH2I2 in water was experimentally observed to lead to almost complete conversion into CH2(OH)2 and 2HI products. Picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy experiments in mixed water/acetonitrile solvents (25%-75% water) showed that appreciable amounts of isodiiodomethane (CH2I-I) were formed within several picoseconds and the decay of the CH2I-I species became substantially shorter with increasing water concentration, suggesting that CH2I-I may be reacting with water. Ab initio calculations demonstrate the CH2I-I species is able to react readily with water via a water-catalyzed O--H-insertion and HI-elimination reaction followed by its CH2I(OH) product undergoing a further water-catalyzed HI-elimination reaction to make a H2C=O product. These HI-elimination reactions produce the two HI leaving groups observed experimentally and the H2C=O product further reacts with water to produce the other final CH2(OH)2 product observed in the photochemistry experiments. These results suggest that CH2I-I is the species that reacts with water to produce the CH2(OH)2 and 2HI products seen in the photochemistry experiments. The present study demonstrates that ultraviolet photolysis of CH2I2 at low concentration leads to efficient dehalogenation and release of multiple strong acid (HI) leaving groups. Some possible ramifications for the decomposition of polyhalomethanes and halomethanols in aqueous environments as well as the photochemistry of polyhalomethanes in the natural environment are briefly discussed.

Direct observation of an isopolyhalomethane O–H insertion reaction with water: Picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (ps-TR3) study of the isobromoform reaction with water to produce a CHBr2OH product

Picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (ps-TR3) spectroscopy was used to obtain the first definitive spectroscopic observation of an isopolyhalomethane O-H insertion reaction with water. The ps-TR3 spectra show that isobromoform is produced within several picoseconds after photolysis of CHBr3 and then reacts on the hundreds of picosecond time scale with water to produce a CHBr2OH reaction product. Photolysis of low concentrations of bromoform in aqueous solution resulted in noticeable formation of HBr strong acid. Ab initio calculations show that isobromoform can react with water to produce a CHBr2(OH) O-H insertion reaction product and a HBr leaving group. This is consistent with both the ps-TR3 experiments that observe the reaction of isobromoform with water to form a CHBr2(OH) product and photolysis experiments that show HBr acid formation. We briefly discuss the implications of these results for the phase dependent behavior of polyhalomethane photochemistry in the gas phase versus water solvated environments.

An ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of the Aqueous Liquid-Vapor Interface

We present an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of the aqueous liquid-vapor interface. Having successfully stabilized a region of bulk water in the center of a water slab, we were able to reproduce and further quantify the experimentally observed abundance of surface "acceptor-only"(19%) and "single-donor"(66%) moieties as well as substantial surface relaxation approaching the liquid-vapor interface. Examination of the orientational dynamics points to a faster relaxation in the interfacial region. Furthermore, the average value of the dipole decreases and the average value of the highest occupied molecular orbital for each water molecule increases approaching the liquid-vapor interface. Our results support the idea that the surface contains, on average, far more reactive states than the bulk.

Solvation Structure of NaI on the Surface of Ethanol Solution

An ethanol solution of sodium iodide (NaI) was introduced into a vacuum as a continuous liquid flow (liquid beam), and the surface of the solution was illuminated by a laser with a wavelength of 118 nm. The kinetic energies of photoelectrons emitted from the surface were measured as a function of NaI concentration in the solution. The photoelectron spectra thus obtained exhibit peaks associated with I− and (NaI)n which are solvated by ethanol. It was concluded that NaI aggregates into clusters, (NaI)n, on the ethanol solution surface, in agreement with previous photo-ion mass spectrometry studies.

Comparison of the dehalogenation of polyhalomethanes and production of strong acids in aqueous and salt (NaCl) water environments: Ultraviolet photolysis of CH[sub 2]I[sub 2]

The ultraviolet photolysis of CH(2)I(2) was studied in water and salt water solutions using photochemistry and picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. Photolysis in both types of environments produces mainly CH(2)(OH)(2) and HI products. However, photolysis of CH(2)I(2) in salt water leads to the formation of different products/intermediates (CH(2)ICl and Cl(2) (-)) not observed in the absence of salt in aqueous solutions. The amount of CH(2)(OH)(2) and HI products appears to decrease after photolysis of CH(2)I(2) in salt water compared to pure water. We briefly discuss possible implications of these results for photolysis of CH(2)I(2) and other polyhalomethanes in sea water and other salt aqueous environments compared to nonsalt water solvated environments.

Reactions at interfaces as a source of sulfate formation in sea-salt particles

Understanding the formation of sulfate particles in the troposphere is critical because of their health effects and their direct and indirect effects on radiative forcing, and hence on climate. Laboratory studies of the chemical and physical changes in sodium chloride, the major component of sea-salt particles, show that sodium hydroxide is generated upon reaction of deliquesced sodium chloride particles with gas-phase hydroxide. The increase in alkalinity will lead to an increase in the uptake and oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfate in sea-salt particles. This chemistry is missing from current models but is consistent with a number of previously unexplained field study observations.

Review of concentrations and chemistry of trichloroacetate in the environment

This paper reviews the concentrations of trichloroacetate (TCA) in the atmosphere-plant-soil system. Data originate mainly from Europe. The median TCA concentration in rainwater and canopy drip decreased until 1995. From then the median TCA concentration in rainwater remains rather constant while for canopy drip later data are not available. The same seems to hold for concentrations in air although a very limited data set is available. The median concentrations in coniferous needles and groundwater are constant for the period observed. The median TCA concentrations in soil decreased until 1992 and then remained constant.The TCA formation from chlorinated solvents in the atmosphere may explain a substantial percentage of the TCA amount in the atmosphere. The TCA concentrations in rainwater and canopy drip indicate that there will be other sources contributing to 10-50%. Waste incineration, biomass burning and natural formation in the marine boundary layer are potential candidate sources of TCA, but nothing can be said as yet on their TCA emission rates. Anthropogenic emissions of chlorine could also be a source.TCA can be formed from chlorinated solvents by biota. However, for coniferous trees the uptake of TCA from soil may be the predominant route. Biotic and abiotic reactions can cause to formation of TCA in soil, but also formation of TCA from chlorinated solvents by biota that excrete TCA, may contribute. Mass balance calculations of the bioactive soil top layer show that the production rate of TCA in certain soil types could be substantial. The mass balance calculations could not distinguish between natural and anthropogenic sources in soil.

The role of halogen species in the troposphere

While the role of reactive halogen species (e.g. Cl, Br) in the destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer is well known, their role in the troposphere was investigated only since their destructive effect on boundary layer ozone after polar sunrise became obvious. During these 'Polar Tropospheric Ozone Hole' events O(3) is completely destroyed in the lowest approximately 1000 m of the atmosphere on areas of several million square kilometres. Up to now it was assumed that these events were confined to the polar regions during springtime. However, during the last few years significant amounts of BrO and Cl-atoms were also found outside the Arctic and Antarctic boundary layer. Recently even higher BrO mixing ratios (up to 176 ppt) were detected by optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) in the Dead Sea basin during summer. In addition, evidence is accumulating that BrO (at levels around 1-2 ppt) is also occurring in the free troposphere at all latitudes. In contrast to the stratosphere, where halogens are released from species, which are very long lived in the troposphere, likely sources of boundary layer Br and Cl are autocatalytic oxidation of sea salt halides (the 'Bromine Explosion'), while precursors of free tropospheric BrO and coastal IO probably are short-lived organo-halogen species. At the levels suggested by the available measurements reactive halogen species have a profound effect on tropospheric chemistry: In the polar boundary layer during 'halogen events' ozone is usually completely lost within hours or days. In the free troposphere the effective O(3)-losses due to halogens could be comparable to the known photochemical O(3) destruction. Further interesting consequences include the increase of OH levels and (at low NO(X)) the decrease of the HO(2)/OH ratio in the free troposphere.

A tale of two neurons in the upper airways: pain versus itch

Pain and itch sensations are induced by depolarization of distinct populations of unmyelinated type C, and possibly other, neurons. Both sets of neurons and sensations serve critical protective mechanisms that maintain the integrity and patency of the upper airways. When noxious or pruritic stimuli are applied on the afferent nerve ending, pain and itch are appreciated at the thalamic and parietal cortex. In the mucosa, this neuronal depolarization spreads via the peripheral efferent axon response mechanism. Neuropeptides such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide are released from neurosecretory varicosities on the nociceptive C fibers. The exact functions of axon responses differ between humans and rodents, and in health and disease. Separate itch- and pain-specific peripheral type C fibers, secondary relay interneurons in the spinal cord dorsal horn, anatomical locations in the lateral spinothalamic tract, and thalamic nuclei demonstrate that all nociceptive nerves are not the same. Other types of irritant-sensitive trigeminal neurons might be discovered that could mediate other unique sensations, specific axon responses, or central nervous system functions.

Molecular aspects of halide ion hydration: the cluster approach

This review provides a historical context for our understanding of the hydration shell surrounding halide ions and illustrates how the cluster systems can be used, in combination with theory, to elucidate the behavior of water molecules in direct contact with the anion. We discuss how vibrational predissociation spectroscopy, carried out with weakly bound argon atoms, has been employed to deduce the morphology of the small water networks attached to anions in the primary steps of hydration. We emphasize the importance of charge-transfer in the binary interaction, and discuss how this process affects the structures of the larger networks. Finally, we survey how the negatively charged water clusters (H2O)n(-) are providing a molecular-level perspective on how diffuse excess electrons interact with the water networks.

Spectroscopic determination of the OH- solvation shell in the OH-.(H2O)n clusters

There has been long-standing uncertainty about the number of water molecules in the primary coordination environment of the OH- and F- ions in aqueous chemistry. We report the vibrational spectra of the OH-.(H2O)n and F-.(H2O)n clusters and interpret the pattern of OH stretching fundamentals with ab initio calculations. The spectra of the cold complexes are obtained by first attaching weakly bound argon atoms to the clusters and then monitoring the photoinduced evaporation of these atoms when an infrared laser is tuned to a vibrational resonance. The small clusters (n </= 3) display an isolated, sharp feature near the free OH stretching vibration, the signature of open solvation morphologies where each water molecule binds independently to the ion. Pronounced changes in the spectra are observed at n = 4 in the hydroxide ion and at n = 5 in the fluoride ion. In both cases, new features appear in the region typically associated with interwater hydrogen bonding. This behavior establishes that the primary hydration shells occur at n = 3 and 4 in hydroxide and fluoride, respectively.

Aqueous Solution/Air Interfaces Probed with Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy

An important issue for developing a molecular-level mechanism of heterogeneous interactions at the aqueous interface is determining changes in the interface with changes in the bulk composition. Development of the nonlinear spectroscopy, sum frequency generation (SFG) provides a technique to probe these changes. Several molecular and ionic solutes have been used to investigate changes in the structure of the aqueous interface. Molecular solutes include glycerol and ammonia. Ionic and associated ion complexes include sulfuric acid as well as alkali sulfate and bisulfate salts. Molecular solutes and associated ion complexes penetrate to the top monolayer of the aqueous-air interface displacing water from the interface. Specifically, the conjectured ammonia-water complex is observed with ammonia tilted, on average, 25-38° from the normal. Ionic solutes generate a double layer in the interfacial region due to the differential distribution of anions and cations near the interface. The strength of the double layer is dependent on ion size and charge. Due to the extreme size of the proton, the strongest field is generated by acidic solutes. As the ionic solute concentration increases, associated ion pairs form and these penetrate to the top monolayer. These results have wide implications because the aqueous interface is ubiquitous in atmospheric and biological systems.

A laser flash photolysis study of the decay of SO4- and Cl2- radical anions in the presence of Cl- in aqueous solutions

The rate constant for the reaction of sulphate radical (SO4-) with Cl- has been determined using laser photolysis, at 248 nm, of peroxodisulphate anions to produce the radicals and time resolved optical absorption of the transient species (at 450 or 480 nm for SO4- and 350 nm for Cl2-) for the kinetic determinations. The experiments were performed, in the absence of added sulphate, as a function of temperature and ionic strength and yielded (at an ionic strength of 0.0157 M): kIV = (9.90+/-0.16) x 10(9) exp((-7.12+/-2.0) kJ mol(-1)/RT) M(-1) s(-1), where the errors reflect the 2sigma statistical error. This reaction produces Cl2-, the formation and decay of which were also monitored allowing a determination of the rate constant of its second-order self-recombination reaction which gave k = (6.50+/-1.40) x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) at 293 K and zero ionic strength.