On chemical form of H+ ion in aqueous solutions

Abstract

Using the method of the addition of another salt worked out and verified in the previous work, it has been concluded from experimental densities of aqueous NaCl + HCl solutions that even in highly diluted solutions, H+ ion exists as integral H3O+ species which is bonded to the ice-like structure of surrounding water only by relatively weak hydrogen bonds. This bonding does not prevent the outer hydration sheath from fully participating in hydration equilibria of other ions present in solution. The hypothesis about the stable H9O4+ complex could not be maintained.