Hydration Number
The hydration number, or solvation number of a compound is defined as the average number of molecules bound to the compound more strongly (by 13.3 kcal/mol or more) than they are bound to other water molecules. The hydration number is dependent on the concentration of the compound in solution, and the identity of the compound. When compounds are dissolved in water, the water molecules form a solvation shell surrounding the solute. For charged species, the orientation of water molecules around the solute is dependent on its ionic charge, with cations attracting water’s electronegative oxygen and anions attracting the hydrogens. Uncharged compounds such as methane can also be solvated by water and also have a hydration number. Although solvation shells can contain inner and outer shell solvent-solute interactions, the hydration number generally focuses on the inner shell solvent molecules that most directly interact with the solute. Background Given the overwhelming abundance of ...
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