1. Investigations of Intermolecular Interactions in Liquid Hydrocarbons
C. Dale Keefe, Department of Chemistry, Cape Breton University, Sydney, Canada
Interactions between molecules play a key role in the structure and properties of liquids. In this project, the interactions in small molecule liquid hydrocarbons are investigated. These interactions are studied by the determining how the liquids absorb infrared light and how they scatter laser light. Over the last year, the infrared absorption spectra of cyclohexane (Fig. Left), n-pentane (Fig. Center), cyclopentane (Fig. Right), heptane (not shown) and octane (not shown)have been determined and analyzed to build on our knowledge of how these interactions control the optical and physical properties in these small hydrocarbons which will ultimately be extended to large organic compounds. Studies of the interaction of acetic acid pyridine complexes were started. In addition, new experimental measurements will be carried out on other pure liquid hydrocarbons as well as various binary mixtures.