Abstract
The tendency of two nonpolar particles to adhere to each other in aqueous environment is examined within the framework of classical statistical mechanics. The system under investigation consists of N solvent molecules and two simple solute particles at fixed positions R1 and R2. The Heimholte free energy for such a system is split into three terms: A N+2(R1, R2) = A0+U12 (R1, R2) +4HI(R1, R2). The main problem of the article is formulated in terms of the function A Hl(R12). The hydrophobic interaction is defined as the indirect part of the work [AHI(R12= *)-A HI(R12)^ associated with the process of bringing the two solute particles from infinity to the distance R12. Three different estimates of the strength of the hydrophobic interaction for various solute-solute distances are discussed. A quantity, based on available experimental data, is suggested to serve as a simple and practical index for comparing the hydrophobic interaction in various media. Using this quantity, the unique behavior of liquid water with regard to hydrophobic interaction is established.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1387-1404 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | The Journal of Chemical Physics |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1971 |