Solubility prediction of n-fatty alcohols and sterols in complexing and non-complexing solvents according to the mobile order theory

The volume fraction solubilities of a number of solid n-fatty alcohols and sterols are predicted in neat organic nonpolar, polar, and hydrogen-bonded solvents including water. In the frame of the mobile order thermodynamics, the predictions are based on the knowledge (a) of the melting properties of the alcohols, which affect the fluidization process, (b) of their molar size, which mainly rules the exchange entropy and the hydrophobic effect, and (c) of the group interaction stability constants, which are responsible for the balance between the competing self-association and strong intermolecular interactions of the alcohols in solution. Owing to its ability to deal properly with these various elementary processes, the proposed thermodynamic solubility model derived from the mobile order theory in H-bonded liquids represents an advance towards reliable and comprehensive estimates of the solubilizing capacity of common solvents for nonideal complexing systems, i.e., the solid alcohols.