CHAPTER IV - PROTONIC SOLVENTS

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the study of the three common protonic solvents, namely, pure sulfuric acid, anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, and glacial acetic acid. Among these three solvents, there is an interesting gradation in dielectric constant. The dielectric constant is highest for sulfuric acid. There is the least ion–ion interaction in sulfuric acid, and all electrolytes are found to be fully ionized. The formation of solvates by inorganic salts gives an indication of solubility of the salt in the particular solvent. The greater the dielectric constant of the co-ordinated solvent, the more the lattice energy will be reduced, making the possibility of solution more favorable when the solvate is placed in the solvent. Acetic acid has the lowest dielectric constant of the three protonic solvents; therefore, salts on the whole are relatively insoluble. The chapter discusses leveling action. The acids in the protonic solvents are proton donors; the stronger the acid, the more easily it donates a proton to the solvent.