Magnetic Relaxation by Quadrupole Interaction of Ionic Nuclei in Electrolyte Solutions Part I: Limiting Values for Infinite Dilution

Formulae for the relaxation rate of nuclei residing in the centre of spherical ions are derived. The electrical field gradient with which the nuclear quadrupole moment interacts may be caused by the electrostatic point dipoles in the solvent molecules. In the present paper only the solvent water is considered, but the theory may be applied to other solvents as well. The theory treats delocalized and localized water‐water cross‐correlation effects. The latter ones regard the partial quenching of the quadrupole interaction due to more or less distorted cubic symmetry around the ion. Formulae for the relaxation rate when electronic field gradients occur are also derived. A comparison between experimental and theoretical results is given.