Nuclear magnetic relaxation and structure of aqueous solutions

By the interpretation of the intermolecular nuclear magnetic relaxation rate of¹⁹F the orientation of the water molecules in the hydration sphere of F^– can be determined. Similarly, the orientation of the water molecules around the methyl group of propionic acid in aqueous solution has been studied. Experiments are described which give information about the nature of association of solute in aqueous solution of a number of carboxylic acids and of ethanol. The local dynamic details of the I^– ion have been investigated. Some new results are briefly descussed regarding the nuclear magnetic relaxation by quadrupole interaction in electrolyte solutions.This paper was presented at the symposium, The Physical Chemistry of Aqueous Systems, held at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 12–14, 1972, in honor of the 70th birthday of Professor H. S. Frank.