Concerning the Structure of N-Alcohol Solutions of Lithium Chloride

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.