Thermophysical properties of binary mixtures of diethyl ether as oxygenate with cyclohexane and aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Density (ρ), speed of sound (u), and refractive index (nD) were measured for the binary mixture of diethyl ether (1) + cyclohexane, benzene, and toluene (2) systems at T= (288.15 K to 298.15 K) and 0.1 MPa. The measured data were utilized to calculate excess molar volume (VmE), deviation in ultrasonic speed (Δu), and deviation in refractive index (ΔnD). Our results illustrate that the positive value of VmE and negative value of Δu for diethyl ether + cyclohexane indicate the absence of specific interaction owing to the inert nature of cyclohexane and disruption of the dipole–dipole interactions in diethyl ether during mixing. Conversely, in diethyl ether + benzene or toluene system, the negative values of VmE and positive values of Δu suggest the presence of electron donor–acceptor interactions between the oxygen atom of diethyl ether and the π- electrons of benzene and toluene. These findings were further corroborated by the behavior of the molecular association parameter (MA), which showed that toluene exhibited the greatest value of MA and lower value of VmE compared to benzene, indicating a stronger degree of molecular association due increase in π-electron density because of the presence of electron-donating methyl group in toluene. On the other hand, cyclohexane showed the lowest value of MA, suggesting the disruption of dipole–dipole interaction in diethyl ether. Schaff’s collision factor theory demonstrated high predictive power for ultrasonic speed compared to other models. These experimental data significantly impact advancing theoretical models, process design, material development in chemical industries, and our understanding of the basic behavior of mixtures across various scientific and technical domains.