Examples of these solvents are : dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), acctonitrile (CH₃CN), nitromethane (CH₃NO₂), nitrobenzene (C₆H₅NO₂) etc. The ability of a solvent to dissolve a particular solute in solution depends on its ability to solvate the dissolved ions (i.e., to be able to coordinate with ions). For ionic solutes, solvating of both cations and anions is important. Generally, cations are smaller in size and their solvating is quite important. The solvent molecules in case of cations act as ligands and form complexes. They are donor solvents. For example,

            Cu²⁺ + 4H₂O     →     [Cu(H₂O)₄]²⁺
[Cu(OH₂)4]²⁺ + 4NH₃   →    [Cu(NH₃)²⁺ + 4H₂O

The order of coordinating ability of some common solvents toward typical cations is well established,
                                          
DMSO > DMF > acetone  ≈ CH₃CN > CH₃NO₂ >C₆H₅NO₂   

Acceptor properties are generally manifested by orienting the positive end fo the dipole toward the anions.

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