Proton transfer in hydrogen bonded systems

Abstract

Evidence is presented that proton transfer occurs in certain special types of hydrogen bond and that as a direct result the association energy is increased. It is probable that this effect is also responsible for a t least a part of the broadening of the v XH absorption band. In support of this, a number of com pounds are described in which the hydrogen bonds are weakened by isotopic substitution. The implications of these findings are discussed.