Effect of Ether Oxygen in Isomeric Alcohols on Water Structure Estimated from Ultrasonic Absorption and Velocity Data

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.66.682

4-Methoxy-1-butanol was synthesized form 1,4-butanediol through potassium 4-hydroxy-1-butoxide.The ultrasonic absorption coefficients in the frequency range from 9.5 to 220 MHz and the sound velocity at 2.5 and 1.92 MHz were measured in aqueous solutions as a function of the concentration.A single relaxational absorption was observed, the cause of which was attributed to the perturbation of an equlibrium associated with a solute-solvent interaction.The rate and thermodynamic parameters associated with the interacion were determined from the concentration dependence of the relaxation frequency.The results were compared with those for other isomeric alcohol solutions, and the effect of the alcohols on the water structure was considered in relation to the molecular structures of the solutes.It has been found that the position of the ether oxygen in the alcohol molecules gives rise to a considerable change in the solution properties.