Volumetric properties and compressibilities of alkyltrimethylammonium bromides and sodium alkylsulphates in aqueous solution

Density and sound velocity data for aqueous solutions at 298.2 K containing alkyltrimethylammonium bromides and sodium alkylsulphates were analysed to yield partial molar volumes and isentropic compressions. The calculated contributions of methylene groups to the properties of alkyltrimethylammonium cations and alkylsulphate anions show no dependence on position in the alkyl chains and a common contribution to the ionic partial molar volumes over the range methyl ≤ n-octyl for the sulphates and n-propyl ≤ n-hexyl for the alkyltrimethylammonium ions. However, a switch in head group from trimethylammonium to sulphate changes the contribution of methylene groups to estimated partial molar isentropic compressibilities. The reasons for this sensitivity are discussed in terms of hydration characteristics.