Rate and thermodynamic studies of the interaction between water and iso-butyl cellosolve by ultrasonic methods

Ultrasonic absorption and velocity measurements in aqueous solution of iso-butyl cellosolve (ethylene glycol iso-butyl ether) as a function of the concentration are reported. The two relaxational absorptions have been attributed to the perturbation of the equilibria expressed by AB?A+B and Aα(1/n)A_n where A is the solute, B is the solvent, AB is the complex and A _n is the solute aggregate. The rate constants for each step have been determined. From the concentration dependence of the maximum excess absorption per wave length, the enthalpy change and the volume change for the reaction between the solute and the solvent have been determined for aqueous solutions of butyl cellosolve (ethylene glycol n-butyl ether), iso-butyl cellosolve and propyl cellosolve (ethylene glycol n-propyl ether). The results are consistent with a hydrogen bonding reaction. The effect of the ethers on water structure are considered and it is clear that the fraction of water molecules which can hydrogen bond to the solute decreases with the increasing hydrophobicity of the solute.