Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation and Spin Jumping Between Three Unequal Potential Wells

Expressions have been derived for relaxation times T1, T1ϱ and dipolar second moment for polycrystalline solids in which nuclei jump between three sites of unequal energy. Relaxation rates appear very sensitive to the potential energies at the sites and to the change of Rik vector length. The expressions derived are applicable for the study of hindered rotation of molecular groups, especially where the interatomic distances are instantaneously changed during the motion. An example of application is provided by hindered rotation of free hydroxyl group of α‐D glucose and β‐D fructose.