Dissertation research involves development of Mobile Order Theory thermodynamic models to mathematically describe and predict the solubility, spectral properties, protonation equilibrium constants and two-phase partitioning behavior of solutes dissolved in binary solvent mixtures of analytical importance. Information gained provide a better understanding of solute-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions at the molecular level, which will facilitate the development of better chemical separation methods based upon both gas-liquid and high-performance liquid chromatography, and better analysis methods based upon complexiometric and spectroscopic methods. Dissertation research emphasizes chemical equilibria in systems containing alcohol cosolvents with the understanding that knowledge gained will be transferable to more environmentally friendly aqueous-organic solvent mixtures.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the thermochemical properties of solutes in nonelectrolyte pure solvents and to develop mathematical expressions with the ability to describe and predict solution behavior using mobile order theory. Solubilities of pesticides (monuron, diuron, and hexachlorobenzene), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (biphenyl, acenaphthene, and phenanthrene), and the organometallic ferrocene were studied in a wide array of solvents. Mobile order theory predictive equations were derived and percent average absolute deviations between experimental and calculated mole fraction solubilities for each solute were as follows: monuron in 21 non-alcoholic solvents (48.4%), diuron in 28 non-alcoholic solvents (60.1%), hexachlorobenzene (210%), biphenyl (13.0%), acenaphthene (37.8%), phenanthrene (41.3%), and ferrocene (107.8%). Solute descriptors using the Abraham solvation model were also calculated for monuron and diuron. Coefficients in the general solvation equation were known for all the solvents and solute descriptors calculated using multilinear regression techniques.

Experimental mole fraction solubilities of benzil, thianthrene, trans-stilbene, thioxanthen-9-one, diphenyl sulfone and dibenzothiophene sulfone are determined in pure noncomplexing and complexing solvents. Predicted solubility values are calculated for benzil, thianthrene, trans-stilbene and thioxanthen-9-one using expressions derived from Mobile Order theory. Large deviations between experimental and predicted solubilities in alcohol solvents exist, therefore optimized solute - solvent association constants are determined. Previously measured thianthrene solubilities in five binary alkane + cyclohexane solvent mixtures are compared with values predicted from Mobile Order theory using the measured solubility in each of the pure solvents as input parameters. The experimental mole fraction solubility of benzil in eight binary alcohol + 1-octanol solvent mixtures are also measured and compared with predicted values.