The Infrared Frequencies and Intensities of the Hydroxyl Band of Ortho-Alkyl Phenols in the Vapor Phase

The infrared frequencies and intensities of the fundamental stretching vibration of the hydroxyl group have been measured for a number of ortho-alkyl phenols in the vapor phase over a range of temperatures. Both quantities have been shown to depend on internal steric and environmental factors. The differences in enthalpy between the cis and trans isomers of several 2-tert-alkyl phenols have been measured, and it is concluded that the latter are not significantly stabilized relative to the former by solvation in non-polar solvents.