Absorption Spectra of the Vapors of Twelve Alcohols and of Nitric Acid in the Region of the O–H Harmonic Band at λ9500

Abstract

The absorption spectra of the vapors of twelve alcohols and of nitric acid have been investigated by photographic methods in the region λλ9450–9850. In each case a strong harmonic band of the O–H vibration was found. In the primary alcohols and in o‐chlor phenol the O–H vibration was found to split into two components, a possible explanation for which is briefly discussed. In the bands of certain other substances a considerable complexity of structure was observed which is attributed either to a free rotation or a torsional vibration of the hydroxyl hydrogen with respect to the remainder of the molecule. Systematic shifts in the frequency of the O–H vibration with changes in the structure of the alcohol molecule were found.