On the Hydrophobic Effect in Water–Alcohol Mixtures

Abstract Binary mixtures of water and various alcohols (W/ROH) were characterized in the light of the pure solvent scales, using suitable probe/homomorph couples. Various thermodynamic properties (viz. vapour pressure and enthalpy of mixing), viscosity, and the IR and NMR spectroscopic properties of the mixtures, as well as the solvatochromic behaviour on UV [NA, ENB, ET(30), and Z] and NMR probes (124Xe) are described in terms of microscopic properties like polarity, acidity, and basicity, and the descriptions examined in relation to a potential physical significance. Finally, the hydrophobic effect is discussed in the light of the results.