Solvent Effect and Salt Effect on Molecular Self-Assembling: Analysis on the Basis of Cluster Structures in the Liquid Phase

Abstract

Most chemical reactions in solution are influenced by the coexisting solvent and salt. However, the role of solvent or ion has not been studied on the basis of the microscopic structures. Here we report that the solvent and the salt effects can be studied on the basis of the cluster structures observed through the mass spectrometry. The solvent effect on the self-association of alcohol molecules and the salt effect on the DNA replication are explained in relation with the cluster structures formed in the solution.