Ionic processes in low polar media

PERSOONS and everaert Ionic Processes in Low Polar Media... 

The potential of this relatively simple technique will be shown from results obtained the the investigation of ionization processes in low polar media. We will give first an introductory summary of some aspects of electric field effects in ionic equilibria since a knowledge of this topic is necessary... 

This investigation has clearly shown that the dissociation-recombination processes of ionic species in low polar media can be treated successfully as a problem of diffusional motion of hard spheres in a continuous medium. The structural properties of the ionic aggregate and the macroscopic properties of the solvent-medium are sufficient to evaluate quantitatively the dynamic properties of ionic phenomena. Eventual discrepancies between experimental data and theoretical values are therefore indicative for specific solute-solvent interactions. 

Electrolyte solutions in low polar media are characterized by a very complex conductance behaviour mainly due to the long range of Coulombic interaction. However, at low electrolyte concentration, a simple ion-pair dissociation into free ions is the predominant process. This situation is experimentally come out by the reciprocal relation between equivalent conductance and the square root of electrolyte concentration. In relaxation experiments this simple behaviour is likewise characterized by a linear dependence of the reciprocal relaxation time of the ionisation equilibrium on the square root of total concentration. It is therefore relatively easy to delimit the experimental conditions within which the simple ion- pairing process is present and not obscured by the progressive emergence of higher ionic aggregates, e.g, triple ions, quadrupoles. .. 

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