Absorption Spectra of Pure Liquid Benzene in the Ultraviolet Region

Absorption spectra of pure liquid benzene were measured at several temperatures from room temperature to just below the freezing point of benzene, in the wavelength region 3000–1670 Å. Because of the very large absorption coefficient of benzene in this region, the transmission measurements were made with the samples prepared as thin films. Three absorption bands of quite different intensities were observed, corresponding to the π – π* singlet transitions well known in the vapor phase spectra. The spectra obtained are compared with those in the vapor and solid phases.