Formation of Aquo Ions

Abstract

IN two publications on this general topic, Bjerrum and Jørgensen¹, and Jørgensen², have reported on the absorption spectra in ethanol–water mixtures of cobaltous nitrate, among other salts. They conclude from their results that the spectral changes observed are due primarily to exchange between alcohol and water groups on the cation. They suggest in particular^1,2 that the conclusions of Katzin and Gebert³, based on studies with varied solvents and experimental conditions, to the effect that the spectral changes between water solution and solutions in organic solvents are due primarily to cation–anion complex interaction are therefore in error.