THE CONFORMATION OF PIVALOPHENONE

Abstract Experimental dipole moments and infinite-dilution molar Kerr constants are reported for pivalophenone and five p -substituted pivalophenones (t-BuCO · C 6 H 4 · X, where X = H, Me, t-Bu, NO 2 , Cl, Br) as solutes in carbon tetrachloride. Analysis of results yields the dihedral angle, φ, between the planes of the carbonyl and aryl groups in the effective conformation of each molecule (X = H, φ = 49 ± 5° ; Me, 39 ± 8° ; t-Bu, 33 ± 9° ; NO 2 , 49 ± 20°; Cl, 45 ± 7°; Br, 41 ± 10°).