Enthalpies of aqueous solution of noble gases at 25°C

The standard enthalpies of solution of rare gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon) in water at 25°C have been measured by a high precision steady-state calorimetric method. The aqueous solvation process is energetically favorable at 25°C for the gases studied. Values of the standard free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes are found to be well correlated with cavity surface areas and the number of water molecules in the first solvation shell. Also, the values of the standard enthalpy and entropy of solution for the rare gases are found to have the same dependence on the number of solvation shell water molecules as inorganic and hydrocarbon gases. These results imply that the dominant source of enthalpy and entropy change resides in the first solvation shell.