Reorientational motion of acetone in solutions

Dipolar correlation functions of acetone in various solvents are obtained by Fourier transform of infrared spectra. The analysis of the shapes of correlation functions shows that the reorientational process is diffusional in the time scale longer than about 0.3 × 10^?12 sec. In nonpolar solvents the ratios of correlation times τ_A : τ_B : τ_C do not vary in different solvents, and the reorientation around b axis is more restricted than around the other axis. The length of correlation time is dependent on the density of solvent rather than the viscosity. These observations are unexpected if only the electrostatic interaction is considered. In polar solvents correlation times are longer than in nonpolar solvents and the tendency is especially remarkable in τ_B. An electrostatic interaction between polar molecules seems to be responsible for these observations. The solvent effect on the frequency shifts of carbonyl stretching vibration is consistent with the result of correlation times.