Molecular association and dynamics in n-pentanol and 2-methyl-2-butanol

Static dielectric constant, viscosity, density, ultrasonic and dielectric relaxation measurements are reported for two pentanol isomers (n-pentanol and 2-methyl-2-butanol) in a wide range of temperatures. The results show a different extent of H-bonds self-association in relation to the molecular geometry of the alcohol. The activation energies obtained from dielectric and ultrasonic studies are compared with those obtained from viscous flow. Such a comparison, together with the analysis of all the dielectric and ultrasonic relaxation data, show that in n-pentanol a correlation between viscosity and ultrasonic relaxation exists, while dielectric relaxation is not correlated with the other t…