Influence of Molecular Structure upon the Electric Strengths of Liquid Hydrocarbons

Abstract

The electric strengths of straight‐chain liquid alkanes are known to increase with increasing molecular chain length. The introduction of branches in the hydrocarbon chain, on the other hand, results in a reduction in strength. In an effort to gain a clearer understanding of this behavior, we have extended our investigations to include hydrocarbons of more complex molecular structure. In the present paper we present the results of a study of the influence of molecular structure upon the electric strengths of benzene and a series of alkyl benzenes. The strengths of those members in which the alkyl group is unbranched bear a nearly linear relationship to the molecular weight, not unlike that observed for the n alkanes. Furthermore, branching of the alkyl side chain again results in a decrease of electric strength. An attempt is made to interpret the results in terms of a simple model.