| Abstract: | In contrast to the thoroughly studied plarity properties of pure liquids, only little is known about the polarity of mixtures of liquids, although the majority of machanistic and preparative work is not carried out in pure phases. Using a widely applicable two-parameter equation, polar behavior of binary liquid mixtues can be described quantitatively as a function of their composition. Based on this equation, satisfactory explanations are found for deviations observed for binary solvent mixtures from the linear correaltion of polarity scales, as well as for the unusual activation parameters estimated by Winstein for solvolysis of tert-butyl chloride. Applications of the equation range from a rapid test for determining water contents of solvents, the study of reaction mechanisms, to polymer chemistry. |
