4
$\begingroup$

When writing a chemical equation, how do you indicate that a chemical is dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent?

For example, it would be inappropriate to write

X (aq)

when X is dissolved in benzene, since aq stands for "aqueous," implying water soluble. A previous answer provided the potential abbreviation (sol), but I wonder if that is actually correct/commonly used.

How would you indicate that X is dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent?

|improve this question
$\endgroup$
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ In general I would specify X in benzene soln, there is no generally accepted notation for non-aqueous solution $\endgroup$ – Waylander Jan 18 at 14:30
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Even if not all that common, (sol) stands a good chance of being understood correctly. $\endgroup$ – Ivan Neretin Jan 18 at 14:35
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ This is a matter of convention of course. I wonder what iupac has to say? $\endgroup$ – Buck Thorn Jan 18 at 14:45
4
$\begingroup$

According to IUPAC, general notation for any solution would be $\ce{X(sln)}$ [1, p. 54]:

(vi) States of aggregation

The following one-, two- or three-letter symbols are used to represent the states of aggregation of chemical species [...] The letters are appended to the formula symbol in parentheses, and should be printed in Roman (upright) type without a full stop (period).

$$ \begin{array}{ll} &\ldots\\ &\text{s} &\text{solid}\\ &\text{sln} &\text{solution}\\ &\text{vit} &\text{vitreous substance}\\ &\ldots\\ \end{array} $$

Similarly, when denoting relation of a given quantity/symbol, subscript $\mathrm{sln}$ notation is used, e.g. $Δ_\mathrm{sln}G^\circ(T,p^\circ)$ [2, pp. 241, 276]:

4.2 Subscripts and superscripts

4.2.1 Subscripts

$$ \begin{array}{ll} &\ldots\\ &\text{r} &\text{reference, reduced}\\ &\text{sln} &\text{solution}\\ &\text{s} &\text{saline solution}\\ &\ldots\\ \end{array} $$

References

  1. IUPAC “Green Book” Quantities, Units, and Symbols in Physical Chemistry, 3rd ed.; Cohen, R. E., Mills, I., Eds.; IUPAC Recommendations; RSC Pub: Cambridge, UK, 2007. ISBN 978-0-85404-433-7.
  2. Gamsjäger, H.; Lorimer, J. W.; Scharlin, P.; Shaw, D. G. Glossary of Terms Related to Solubility (IUPAC Recommendations 2008). Pure and Applied Chemistry 2008, 80 (2), 233–276. https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200880020233.
|improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.