Hydrogen-bonded complexes between chloral hydrate and halide ions in aqueous solution.

The hydrogen-bonded interactions of chloral hydrate and halide ions have been investigated conductometrically at 25.00 degrees C in aqueous solutions. In spite of the strong competing effect of water, the 1:1 associates have relatively high stability constants, in the order of chloride greater than bromide greater than fluoride approximately equal to iodide. The rather low stability of the fluoride:chloral hydrate associate can be explained by the strong hydration of the small fluoride ion. Although the 1:1 association dominates, other stoichiometries cannot be excluded; the cations and the ionic strength seem to have no effect.