Ionic interactions have been determined from the experimental osmotic coefficients, densities, and sound
speeds for the mixing of guanidinium cation (Gn+) with K+, tetra-n-butylammonium cation (nBu4)N+, Mg2+,
and Ca2+ in aqueous solutions containing Cl- at several ionic strengths. As Mg2+ and Ca2+ are more hydrophilic
than K+, and (nBu4)N+ is a strong hydrophobic cation, their mixing with another strong hydrophobic species,
that is, Gn+, throws light on the importance of binary and ternary interactions involving two cations and one
common anion. The excess free energy of mixing, Δm
G
E, volumes, Δm
V
E, and compressibility, Δm
K
E calculated
from independent osmotic coefficient, density, and sound speed measurements indicate strong binary interactions
as a result of mixing of K+−Gn+ and (nBu4)N+−Gn+ cation pairs. The mixing of Mg2+ with Gn+ and Ca2+
with Gn+ suggests the neutralization of opposing effects produced by the hydrophilic and hydrophobic cations.
This situation, which is similar to that noted in an earlier study (Kumar, A. J. Phys.
Chem. B
2000, 104,
9505) on the mixing of Na+ and Gn+, offers important information on the binary and ternary interactions
present on the mixing of one hydrophilic or hydrophobic cation with another hydrophobic cationic species.