First observation of different diffusion coefficients for two conformers in a neat liquid

Naturwissenschaften. 2000 May;87(5):225-8. doi: 10.1007/s001140050708.

Abstract

Self-diffusion coefficients were studied for the highly polar liquid N-methylformamide at pressures up to 200 MPa between the melting pressure curves and 420 K by the spin-echo method. N-Methylformamide exists as a mixture of two conformers in the neat liquid. These conformers have large differences at lower temperatures in their dynamic and structural properties. The self-diffusion coefficient of the cis-conformer being 17% lower than that of the trans-conformer at the same T and p. This is the first observation of such an effect. The experimental study is supported by Monte Carlo (MC) calculations which show that the first neighbors around a cis conformer are arranged differently than in an all trans liquid. The difference leads in the simulations to a much lower dielectric constant for the trans-cis mixture and might also explain the retardation of diffusion for the cis conformer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Diffusion
  • Formamides / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Formamides
  • methylformamide