Hydration of monomeric metaphosphate anion in the gas phase

Thermochemical data for the clustering of water molecules onto the monomeric metaphosphate anion PO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} in the gas phase are derived from a study by high-pressure mass spectrometry. Experimental details are described, and the enthalpy and entropy changes for the successive addition of the first four water (D{sub 2}O) molecules are reported. The results indicate that PO{sub 3}{sup {minus}} undergoes simple adduct formation up to the second hydration step, but the third hydration step involves an isomerization of the ion-water cluster into the dihydrate of the dihydrogen orthophosphate anion.