Concerning the Structure of N-Alcohol Solutions of Lithium Chloride

Abstract

Since in x‐ray diffraction both experimental results and theoretical considerations are in agreement as to the presence of structure in liquids, an x‐ray study is made of concentrated solutions of LiCl in the three normal alcohols, ethyl, propyl and butyl. A definite but tentative conclusion is that in these concentrated solutions of a strong electrolyte, both Li⁺ and Cl^‐ participate with the molecules of the solvent in forming a common liquid cybotactic or quasi‐crystalline structure. This is a new conception which may be made to include what have been described as ``ionic clouds'' and as ``association.'' A conclusion of secondary importance is that the solutions are in fact solutions of the alcoholates of LiCl, although above the corresponding transition temperatures.