Role of solvent structure in solution theory

Abstract

A simple theory of aqueous non-electrolyte solutions is developed to describe the effect of solvent correlation on solute–solute interactions. It is formulated in terms of a Landau expansion of the free energy density, obtained from the Ornstein–Zernike relations, and given specific motivation through a generalised Pople model for water structure.

A functional form of the solute–solute interaction of both hydrophobic and polar solutes in aqueous solutions is investigated. The theory accounts for the experimentally observed solute–solute attraction and gives a more precise meaning to empirical solute–solute potentials.