Solvation thermodynamics of methane and ethane in dimethyl sulfoxide and acetone versus water

Methane and ethane are more soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and acetone than in water at room temperature. This datum is rationalized by showing that the work of cavity creation is smaller in dimethyl sulfoxide and acetone than in water. The difference between dimethyl sulfoxide and water is not large, but is in line with the proposed direct proportionality between the work of cavity creation and (a) the surface tension, (b) the inverse of the isothermal compressibility, and (c) the cohesive energy density of the liquid.