Solutions I

Characteristics

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Barbara A. Gage

Solutions
Homogeneous mixture : has no visible
boundaries because the components are
mixed as individual atoms, ions, and
molecules.
Solution : A homogeneous mixture is also
called a solution. Solutions in water are
called aqueous solutions. Although we
normally think of solutions as liquids, they
can exist in all three physical states.
CHM 1010

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Components
Solute substance that is
dispersed or dissolved
Solvent substance that
facilitates the dispersing or
dissolving
Entropy will generally make
solution formation favorable!
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Solubility
Maximum amount of solute that
dissolves in a given amount of solvent at
a set temperature
NH4Cl 37.2 g/100g H20 @20oC

CHM 1010

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Factors Affecting Solubility

Nature of solute and solventIMFs
Like dissolves like
If the forces are similar the components
will mix

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Figure13.1

The major types of intermolecular forces in solutions.

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Figure13.3

Like dissolves like: solubility of methanol in water.

water

methanol
A solution of
methanol in water
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Figure 4.2

The dissolution of an ionic compound

Solvation

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Dissolution of a polar compound

Solvation
The slightly charged
ends of polar solute
molecules are
attracted to the
polar ends of polar
solvents. The
molecules are
surrounded by solute
particles. The solute
particles stay intact.
CHM 1010

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Barbara A. Gage

To determine solubility, decide what the

IMFs of the solute and solvent are first.
Solute IMFs

Solvent IMFs

Ion-ion

Dipole-dipole

Dissolve or
Mix?
yes

Ion-ion

Dispersion

no

Dipole-dipole

Dipole-dipole

yes

Dispersion

Dipole-dipole

no

Dispersion

Dispersion

yes

CHM 1010

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Barbara A. Gage

SAMPLE PROBLEM 13.1 Predicting Relative Solubilities of Substances

PROBLEM:

Predict which solvent will dissolve more of the given solute:

(a) Sodium chloride in methanol (CH3OH) or in propanol (CH3CH2CH2OH)

(b) Ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH) in hexane (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3)
or in water.
(c) Diethyl ether (CH3CH2OCH2CH3) in water or in ethanol (CH3CH2OH)
PLAN:

Consider the intermolecular forces which can exist between

solute molecules and consider whether the solvent can provide
such interactions and thereby substitute.
SOLUTION:
(a) Methanol - NaCl is ionic and will form ion-dipoles with the -OH groups
of both methanol and propanol. However, propanol is subject to the
dispersion forces to a greater extent.
(b) Water - Hexane has no dipoles to interact with the -OH groups in
ethylene glycol. Water can H bond to the ethylene glycol.
(c) Ethanol - Diethyl ether can interact through a dipole and dispersion
forces. Ethanol can provide both while water would like to H bond.
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Factors Affecting Solubility

Nature of solute and solventIMFs
Temperature
As temperature increases, particle
motions and interactions increase.

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Solubility Curves
What is the
general trend for
solids?
For gases?
Why are they
different?

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Heats of solution and solution cycles

1. Solute particles separate from each other - endothermic
solute (aggregated) + heat

solute (separated)

Hsolute > 0

2. Solvent particles separate from each other - endothermic

solvent (aggregated) + heat

solvent (separated)

Hsolvent > 0

3. Solute and solvent particles mix - exothermic

solute (separated) + solvent (separated)

solution + heat

Hsoln = Hsolute + Hsolvent + Hmix

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Hmix < 0

Figure13.4
Solution cycles and the enthalpy components of the heat of solution.

Exothermic solution process

Endothermic solution process

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Endo- and Exothermic Dissolvers

Endothermic dissolvers can be used to

form chemical cold packs because the
solvent (water) becomes cold as it
provides energy for the dissolving
process.
Exothermic dissolvers provide the basis
for chemical hot packs since the energy
released heats the solvent.

CHM 1010

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Barbara A. Gage

Factors Affecting Solubility

Nature of solute and solventIMFs

Temperature
Molar Mass
The larger the solute molecule the more
solvent molecules are required to keep
the solute in solution.
Solvation shell of
water molecules for
Na+ (left) and a
larger peptide (right)
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Barbara
A. Gage
http://www.theochem.rub.de/~axel.kohlmeyer/research.html

Factors Affecting Solubility

Temperature
Nature of solute and solventIMFs
Molar Mass
The larger the molecule the more
solvent molecules are required to keep
the solute in solution.
Pressure (for gases only)
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The higher the pressure over the solution, the

greater the solubility of the gas (Henrys Law).
The bends
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Electrolytes
If a solute conducts electricity when
dissolved it is called an electrolyte.
Solutes that dissolve but do not form
ions form non-conducting solutions and
are called non-electrolytes.
A solute that dissociates partially and
conducts electricity on a limited basis is
called a weak electrolyte.
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Figure 4.3

The electrical conductivity of ionic solutions.

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Colloids and Suspensions

When a solute is suspended in a solvent
the result is a heterogeneous mixture that
may appear homogeneous. Such mixtures
are called colloids or colloidal suspensions.
These generally do not settle in the short
term.
Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures
that do settle in the short term. They
require shaking before dispensing.
CHM 1010

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Barbara A. Gage

Colloids and Suspensions

Both colloids and suspensions scatter
light. A true solution will not scatter
light because the dispersed solute
particles are too small to affect the
path of the light.

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Colloid

Barbara A. Gage

True solution

Types of Colloidal Suspensions

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