On the Anomalous Dispersion of n-Primary Alcohols

Abstract

Mechanisms proposed for the dielectric anomaly observed in the low temperature form of n-primary alcohols are re-examined, considering especially the influence of thermal history of a sample. The slowly cooled sample gives the longer relaxation time τ and wider distribution of τ than the rapidly cooled one. The activation energy for the dipole orientation depends upon the number of carbons in the alcohol molecule. Results obtained are different from those of previous investigators, but a reasonable model is obtained for this Debye-type abnormal dispersion.