Thermodynamics binding site reorganization

The most inclnsive definition of hydration shell describes it as consisting of all thermodynamically altered water molecnles in the vicinity of a solnte. From a thermodynamic standpoint, hydration can be viewed as binding of water molecnles to the hydration sites of a solnte. The energetics of this association is modulated by the type of solute-solvent interactions (electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals) and by solnte-indnced solvent reorganization. The latter occnrs even in the absence of appreciable solute-solvent interactions becanse the eqnUib-rium distribution of hydrogen-bonded water networks of the bulk becomes disrupted at the solute surface. 

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