Magnetochemistry

Name:
Magnetochemistry
Detailed information:
A subdivision of chemistry concerned with the effect of magnetic fields on chemical compounds; analysis and measurement of these effects, (e.g., magnetic moment and magnetic susceptibility) are important tools in crystallographic research and determination of molecular structures. Substances that are repelled by a magnetic field are diamagnetic (water, benzene); those that are attracted are paramagnetic (oxygen, transition element compounds). Diamagnetic materials have only induced magnetic moment; paramagnetic materials have permanent magnetic moment. Magnetochemistry has been useful in detection of free radicals, elucidation of molecular configurations of highly complex compounds, and in its application to catalytic and chemisorption phenomena.See Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.