Molecular polarizability: Symmetrically substituted mesitylenes

Abstract

Molar Kerr constants ( x 10^-12) are reported for 2,4,6-trichloromesitylene, 2,4,6.tribromomesitylene, and 2,4,6-triiodomesitylene as solutes in carbon tetrachloride and for 2,4,6-trinitromesitylene as a solute in benzene. Microwave absorption measurements indicate the non-polarity of all four solutes and the small apparent dipole moments observed for some of these solutes can be ascribed to atomic polarization. The substituents are not therefore staggered as has previously been suggested for 2,4,6-trinitromesitylene. Estimates of the polarizability semi-axes for these molecules are given.