Thermodynamics of binding methyl orange and its homologs by polyvinylpyrrolidone: The effect of hexamethylenetetramine

Hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) has been examined for its effect on the binding of methyl orange homologs, methyl orange, ethyl orange, propyl orange, and butyl orange by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). In the presence of HMT the entropy changes associated with the binding tend to become more positive and the absolute magnitude in the enthalpy changes becomes smaller compared with those in the absence of HMT. These tendencies are accounted for in terms of the water-structure-promoting effect of HMT, hence the enhancement of hydrophobic interactions in the binding. PVP undergoes changes in conformation on the addition of HMT and its conformation becomes more compact. This also increases the contribution of the hydrophobic interactions to the macromolecule-small molecule interaction. Some other effects exerted by the added HMT on the binding system are also described.