Conductivity in liquid sulfur dioxide.

Abstract

Compounds of the type Ar3CCl are known to give colored solutions in liquid sulfur dioxide. These solutions conduct electric current. The conductance of these solutions is due to the dissociation: Ar3CCl -> Ar3C+ + Cl-. The color is due to the Ar3C+.

By placing substituents in the aromatic substrate, it is possible to vary the degree of dissociation of the compound. The substituents in the aromatic part of the molecule either reduce or increase the ease of removal of the chloride ion from the molecule by the solvent.

The conductances of mono-m-phenyltriphenylchloromethane and mono-p-phenyltriphenylchloromethane were measured in liquid SO2. The para substituted compound was found to be a stronger electrolyte than the meta substituted compound. The equilibrium constants determined by the method of Shedlovsky are listed below.

Kpara = 2.32 * 10^-4) ) at 0.1°C Kmeta = 3.12 * 10^-5)

The conductance of triphenylcarbinol was also measured and it equilibrium constant calculated.

K O3COH = 4.76 * 10^-5 at 0.1°C