Advantage of the medium factor in relation to the ionic strength

Abstract

Studies on metal ion hydrolysis indicated that the supporting electrolytes are not inert and that the effect of the ionic medium on chemical reactions is not negligible. The effect might be determined by the linear free energy relationship that correlates the equilibrium constants with properties of the ionic medium. Data on metal ion hydrolysis show that the medium factor, as a characteristic of the medium, reflects much better the properties of the supporting electrolyte than does the ionic strength. Literature data concerning dissociation of acetic acid and the heat of dissociation of water confirm the advantage of the medium factor.