9

9.14 Regular solution theory should not be used with hydrogen-bonded solvents such as water and
ethanol. However, merely for demonstration, we will use regular solution theory for these
compounds. The Handbook of Chemistry and Physics reports EtOH = 10.0 and H 2 O = 9.9 .
Also, V H 2 O = 18 cc mol and V EtOH = 58.4 cc mol .
In regular solution theory

RT ln i = V i 2j 1 2

so i = exp

LMV a f OP
N RT Q
2

so
1

ethanol
1.000
1.001
EtOH = 10.0
benzene
1.014
1.070
benz = 9.2
toluene
1.028
1.181
tol = 8.9
Ethanol benzene
1.060
1.093
toluene
1.116
1.223
Benzene toluene
1.013
1.015
Since the solubility parameters of all the components are similar, regular solution theory predicts
essentially ideal solution behavior, even though, for example, the water-aromatic hydrocarbon
mixtures are highly nonideal. This is an example of how bad the regular solution theory predictions
can be when used for mixtures for which it is not appropriate.
Water

This example should serve as a warning about the improper use of thermodynamic models.