Molecular self-assembly in a model amphiphile system. 2010

Lorna Dougan, and Jason Crain, and John L Finney, and Alan K Soper
School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. L.Dougan@leeds.ac.uk

The physical origin of the large and negative excess entropy of mixing of alcohols and water remains controversial. In contrast to standard explanations that evoke concepts of water structuring, recent work has shown that, at ambient conditions, it can be quantitatively explained in terms of molecular scale partial demixing of the two components. Here, we estimate the negative excess entropy (DeltaS(E)) of aqueous methanol at low temperature and high pressure using experimentally-derived structural data and a recently introduced cluster model. On cooling to 190 K the cluster sizes increase, but the change in DeltaS(E), which according to this method of calculation depends on the surface area to volume ratio of the clusters, is not significant, suggesting that the topology of the clusters must change with decreased temperature. On compression the cluster sizes also increase, and DeltaS(E) is now positive, suggesting an even more pronounced change in cluster topology with increased pressure. This work suggests that it is the amphiphilic nature of a molecule that determines aggregation and self-assembly processes in aqueous solution. The results therefore give useful insight into the processes of cold and pressure denaturation of proteins.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004578 Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy A technique applicable to the wide variety of substances which exhibit paramagnetism because of the magnetic moments of unpaired electrons. The spectra are useful for detection and identification, for determination of electron structure, for study of interactions between molecules, and for measurement of nuclear spins and moments. (From McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 7th edition) Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy is a variant of the technique which can give enhanced resolution. Electron spin resonance analysis can now be used in vivo, including imaging applications such as MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. ENDOR,Electron Nuclear Double Resonance,Electron Paramagnetic Resonance,Paramagnetic Resonance,Electron Spin Resonance,Paramagnetic Resonance, Electron,Resonance, Electron Paramagnetic,Resonance, Electron Spin,Resonance, Paramagnetic
D000432 Methanol A colorless, flammable liquid used in the manufacture of FORMALDEHYDE and ACETIC ACID, in chemical synthesis, antifreeze, and as a solvent. Ingestion of methanol is toxic and may cause blindness. Alcohol, Methyl,Carbinol,Sodium Methoxide,Wood Alcohol,Alcohol, Wood,Methoxide, Sodium,Methyl Alcohol
D013696 Temperature The property of objects that determines the direction of heat flow when they are placed in direct thermal contact. The temperature is the energy of microscopic motions (vibrational and translational) of the particles of atoms. Temperatures
D014867 Water A clear, odorless, tasteless liquid that is essential for most animal and plant life and is an excellent solvent for many substances. The chemical formula is hydrogen oxide (H2O). (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Hydrogen Oxide
D057927 Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions The thermodynamic interaction between a substance and WATER. Hydrophilic Interactions,Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Interactions,Hydrophilicity,Hydrophobic Interactions,Hydrophobicity,Hydrophilic Interaction,Hydrophilicities,Hydrophobic Interaction,Hydrophobicities,Interaction, Hydrophilic,Interaction, Hydrophobic,Interactions, Hydrophilic,Interactions, Hydrophobic
D019277 Entropy The measure of that part of the heat or energy of a system which is not available to perform work. Entropy increases in all natural (spontaneous and irreversible) processes. (From Dorland, 28th ed) Entropies

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