Determination of the enthalpy of solute-solvent interaction from the enthalpy of solution: aqueous solutions of erythritol and L-threitol

In this work the enthalpy of the solute-solvent interaction of erythritol and L-threitol in aqueous solution was determined from the values obtained for the enthalpy of solvation. The values for this property were calculated from those determined for the enthalpies of solution and sublimation. To determine the values of the enthalpy of solute-solvent interaction, the solvation process is considered as taking place in three steps: opening a cavity in the solvent to hold the solute molecule, changing the solute conformation when it passes from the gas phase into solution, and interaction between the solute and the solvent molecules. The cavity enthalpy was calculated by the scaled particle theory and the conformational enthalpy change was estimated from the value of this function in the gas phase and in solution. Both terms were determined by DFT calculations. The solvent effect on the solute conformation in solution was estimated using the CPCM solvation model. The importance of the cavity and conformational terms in the interpretation of the enthalpy of solvation is noted. While the cavity term has been used by some authors, the conformational term is considered for the first time. The structural features in aqueous solution of erythritol and L-threitol are discussed.