Solvophobic interaction

The solubilities of methane and ethane were measured in the following solvents: water, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1,4-dioxane, and cyclohexane. The standard free energies, entropies, and enthalpies of solution of methane and ethane in these solvents were computed. From these data the strength of the "solvophobic interaction" is estimated in these solvents. It is found that the strength of solvophobic interaction is distinctly larger in water as compared with the other nonaqueous solvents. The entropy and enthalpy associated with the process of bringing two solutes from infinite separation to a short distance is also amonalous in water as compared with other solvents.