Solvation of Cobalt(II) Ion in N,N-Dimethylformamide–Methanol Mixed Solvent: Calorimetry and VIS Spectroscopy Studies

The enthalpies of solution of Co(II) and Na(I) trifluoromethanesulfonates (triflates) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)–methanol (MeOH) mixtures have been measured over the whole range of solvent composition. From these data the enthalpies of transfer of Co(II) and triflate ions from methanol to the mixed solvent have been determined usingliterature values of the enthalpies of transfer of the Na⁺ ion. The results have been analyzed by means of the theory of preferential solvation. The analysis revealed the preference of DMF for solvating the Co(II) ion in the MeOH-rich region of solvent composition and the lack of preference of any component in the DMF-rich region. Visible absorption spectra of the Co(II) ion in DMF–MeOH mixtures have been also measured in the whole range of solvent composition and analyzed using the partial least-squares method. The mean composition of the solvation sphere of the Co(II) ion versus solvent composition has been determined on the basis of both analyses. The results were found to be consistent with each other and with those obtained previously from FT-IR spectra.