Publication Date

1969

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Kresheck, Gordon C.||Graham, John D. (Professor of chemistry)||Albers, Robert J.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Chemistry

LCSH

Solution (Chemistry); Urea

Abstract

Changes in partial molar volume are known to accompany the formation of micelles and also the transfer of nonpolar gases from aqueous to nonpolar solvents. The structure of water is thought to be important in these processes. Since considerable evidence suggests that urea may disrupt water struc­ture, it was of interest to determine its effect on the partial molar volume of model compounds contain­ing nonpolar side chains. In this study the partial molal volumes of a homologous series of aliphatic alcohols, carboxylic acids, acid salts, and amino acids were determined at infinite dilution in 6M urea and compared to the known partial molal volumes (also at infinite dilu­tion) in water. The results indicated that for the transfer of the nonpolar side chain from water to 6M urea at 25° is positive for all solutes studied. Definite head group effects were also noted for each of the different classes of solutes. The effect of urea on the hydrocarbon portion was interpreted on the basis of five parameters, AV°t, Ks (salting out coefficient), AFT. AHt, and Ast; all of which suggest that urea is disrupting the water structure which results in enhanced solva­tion of the hydrocarbon. It was shown that the Drude-Nernst equation could be used for charged solutes to qualitatively predict the volume change on transfer from water to 6M urea or pure ethanol. This prediction depends upon the dielectric constant of the solvent. It was further shown that the volume change for the aliphatic acids was associated with the difference in conductivity of these solutes in water and urea. Solvation diff­erences based upon heat capacity data also seem to be a factor in interpreting the observed volume changes for the acids and salts. All of these considerations are thought to be associated with the alteration of the water structure by the addition of urea.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.

Extent

ix, 102 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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