In
chemistry the
intimate ion pair concept introduced by
Saul Winstein describes the interactions between a
cation,
anion and surrounding
solvent molecules. In ordinary aqueous solutions of inorganic salts an ion is completely solvated and shielded from the counterion. In less
polar solvents two ions can still be connected to some extent. In a
tight or
intimate or
contact ion pair there are no solvent molecules between the two ions. When solvation increases, ionic bonding decreases and a
loose or
solvent-shared ion pair results. The ion pair concept explains
stereochemistry in
solvolysis.