Enthalpy of Solution & Hydration (OCR A Level Chemistry)

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Enthalpy of Solution & Hydration

Enthalpy of solution

  • The standard enthalpy change of solution (ΔHsol) is the enthalpy change when 1 mole of an ionic substance dissolves in sufficient water to form an infinitely dilute solution
  • The symbol (aq) is used to show that the solid is dissolved in sufficient water
    • For example, the enthalpy changes of solution for potassium chloride are described by the following equations:

KCl (s) + aq → KCl (aq)

OR

KCl (s) + aq → K+(aq) + Cl-(aq)

  • ΔHsol can be exothermic (negative) or endothermic (positive)

Enthalpy of hydration

  • The standard enthalpy change of hydration Hhyd) is the enthalpy change when 1 mole of a specified gaseous ion dissolves in sufficient water to form an infinitely dilute solution
    • For example, the enthalpy change of hydration for magnesium ions is described by the following equation:

Mg2+(g) + aq → Mg2+(aq)

    • Hydration enthalpies are the measure of the energy that is released when there is an attraction formed between the ions and water molecules
    • Hydration enthalpies are exothermic

  • When an ionic solid dissolves in water, positive and negative ions are formed
  • Water is a polar molecule with a δ- oxygen (O) atom and δ+ hydrogen (H) atoms which will form ion-dipole attractions with the ions present in the solution
  • The oxygen atom in water will be attracted to the positive ions and the hydrogen atoms will be attracted to the negative ions

Chemical Energetics - Ion-Dipole Bonds, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The polar water molecules will form ion-dipole bonds with the ions in solution causing the ions to become hydrated 

How are enthalpy of solution and hydration enthalpies related?

Lattice enthalpy- hydration & solution enthalpies, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The relationship between lattice enthalpy, hydration enthalpies and enthalpy of solution

  • From the diagram we can see that the relationship is

Enthalpy of solution = reverse lattice enthalpy* + hydration enthalpy

  • The hydration enthalpy is the sum of the hydration enthalpies of each ion
  • If there is more than one cation or anion, such as in MgCl2, then you must multiply by the appropriate coefficient for that ion

*To be consistent with lattice formation enthalpy

Enthalpy of Solution & Hydration Calculations

  • Questions in this topic typically ask you to calculate the hydration enthalpy of one of the ions, given the lattice enthalpy, enthalpy of solution and hydration enthalpy of the other ion.
  • This can be done by constructing an appropriate energy cycle and using Hess's Law to find the unknown energy value
  • The energy cycle above shows that there are two routes to go from the gaseous ions to the ions in an aqueous solution:
      • Route 1: going from gaseous ions → ionic solid → ions in aqueous solution (this is the indirect route)
      • Route 2: going from gaseous ions  →  ions in aqueous solution (this is the direct route)

  • According to Hess’s law, the enthalpy change for both routes is the same, such that:

ΔHhyd= ΔHlatt + ΔHsol

  • Each ion will have its own enthalpy change of hydration, ΔHhyd, which will need to be taken into account during calculations
    • The total ΔHhyd is found by adding the  ΔHhyd values of both anions and cations together

Worked example

Calculate the enthalpy of hydration of the chloride ion given the following data:

ΔHlatt[KCl] = -711 kJ mol-1

ΔHsol[KCl] = +26 kJ mol-1

ΔHhyd[K+] = -322 kJ mol-1

Answer

Step 1: Draw the energy cycle and make ΔHhyd[Cl-] the subject of the formula:

Worked Example -Energy Cycle KCl, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 2: Substitute the values to find ΔHhyd [Cl-]

ΔHhyd[Cl-]  = (-711) + (+26) - (-322) = -363 kJ mol-1

Alternative Diagram

  • You can also draw a Born-Haber cycle as an alternative approach to the same problem

   Energy level diagram:

Chemical Energetics - Energy Level Diagram KCl (1), downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notesChemical Energetics - Energy Level Diagram KCl (2), downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Worked example

Construct an energy cycle to calculate the ΔHhydof magnesium ions in magnesium chloride, given the following data:

ΔHlatt[MgCl2] = -2592 kJ mol-1

ΔHsol[MgCl2] = -55 kJ mol-1

ΔHhyd[Cl-] = -363 kJ mol-1

Answer

Step 1: Draw an energy cycle:

Worked Example - Energy Cycle MgCl2, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Step 2: Substitute the values to find ΔHhyd [Mg2+]

ΔHhyd[Mg2+]  = (-2592) + (-55) - (2 x -363) = -1921 kJ mol-1

Alternative route to find ΔHhyd[Mg2+

  • Here is the same solution using a Born-Haber cycle

Chemical Energetics - Energy Level Diagram MgCl2, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

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Philippa

Author: Philippa

Expertise: Chemistry

Philippa has worked as a GCSE and A level chemistry teacher and tutor for over thirteen years. She studied chemistry and sport science at Loughborough University graduating in 2007 having also completed her PGCE in science. Throughout her time as a teacher she was incharge of a boarding house for five years and coached many teams in a variety of sports. When not producing resources with the chemistry team, Philippa enjoys being active outside with her young family and is a very keen gardener.