Catalytic Properties of Acid Solutions and the Structure of Acid–Base Complexes with Strong Hydrogen Bonds

The catalytic action of acid solutions involves an equilibrium step in the formation of a reactive complex of reactant molecules with catalyst entities. The relative concentrations of these complexes are determined by using thermodynamic parameters (acidity functions and activities of catalyst components). Data on the structure of complexes with strong H-bonds can be obtained from the vibrational spectra of these species. These data are required for establishing the mechanisms of catalytic reactions and for predicting the catalytic properties of acid solutions containing these complexes.