Self-diffusion measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon alkali metal salts

Abstract

The solvations of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon alkali metal salts are studied using their self-diffusion rates measured by NMR spectroscopy. The moiety size is more dependent on the anion than the cation. The self-diffusion rates of the neutral compounds are found to be predictable while the salts diffuse considerably slower than the unsolvated species indicating the presence of a solvent shell. The apparent moiety size is temperature dependent for the salts in ethereal solutions indicating a solvation shell of varying size.