Characterization of binary solvent mixtures: the water–acetonitrile mixture

Abstract

Binary mixtures of water and acetonitrile (W/AN) were characterized in the light of the pure solvent scales, using suitable probe/homomorph couples. Various thermodynamic (vapour pressure, softness parameter, excess molar Gibbs energy and enthalpy of mixing) properties, surface tension, viscosity, and spectroscopic (IR, Raman and NMR) properties of the mixtures, and the distribution of molecular structures (viz. free CH₃CN and CH₃CN–H₂O complexes) are described in terms of their polarity, acidity and basicity, and the descriptions examined in relation to a potential physical significance.