Theory of non-linear dielectric effects in liquids

Abstract

A general theory of non-linear dielectric phenomena in liquids is proposed with the fundamental assumption, supported by a large body of experimental data, that such phenomena are specifically sensitive to molecular association processes due to electrostatic and chemical interactions. The relationships derived provide a good interpretation of the effects observed in dipolar liquids with small dipole moments as well as in strongly polar systems. The theory also holds for solutions presenting tautomeric and arbitrary chemical equilibria involving molecular associates and complexes.