soma - 4-9-2014 at 22:52
The Chemetall literature on LAH says " In general the "solvation power"
follows the order: diethyl ether < THF < diethylene glycol dimethyl
ether. In diethyl ether solutions, LiAlH 4 is present as solvated ion
pairs, whereas in THF solutions solvent separated ion pairs are
predominant. In diglyme the [AlH4] - -ion is least influenced by
ion pair formation."
Does this mean that in diethyl ether the ions are "fully solvated"? I.e., completely separated by solvent shells, whereas, the ions are closer
together in THF? Also, would the completely separated ions react more easily with a reactant?
The article makes it sound like diglyme is the most solvated (or the most separated ion pair coupling), so this is confusing.
[Edited on 5-9-2014 by soma]
[Edited on 5-9-2014 by soma]