Dielectric Constants of Dilute Solutions of Polar Liquids in Nonpolar Solvents

Abstract

Dielectric constants of solutions of methyl, ethyl, propyl and amyl alcohols in benzene and carbon tetrachloride.—Failure of the Debye theory to represent the behavior of such polar liquids as the alcohols is usually attributed to association. With hope of eliminating the effects of association, the dielectric behavior of dilute solutions of several alcohols in benzene have been studied. Dielectric constants were determined by a heterodyne beat method. Both dielectric and density data were obtained at each 10° temperature interval from freezing to boiling. The molecular polarization found for the dissolved alcohol was plotted against concentration; one such curve was plotted at each 10° interval. With hope of obtaining the polarization of the alcohol in the unassociated state, these curves were extended to cut the zero concentration axis. The resulting intercepts for the various temperatures were checked against theory.