Non-linear dielectric studies of lower alcohols in the presence of conductivity

Abstract

Short duration, high field intensity pulses have been applied to the alcohols, butanol, propanol, ethanol and methanol. Using a frequency counter technique the non linear dielectric behaviour of these alcohols has been studied, and the results obtained compared with those of other workers. Solutions of ethanol in benzene demonstrate qualitatively the same behaviour as the higher alcohols in similar non-interacting solvents. Whilst previously the observed behaviour has been ascribed to a proton shift mechanism, an alternative is suggested involving the opening up of cyclic non-polar multimers in the electric field to form more polar species.