Substituent effects on O-H stretching bands in substituted phenols

CHED 1448

Deepthi Chiluvuri, dchiluv@stedwards.edu and J. D. Lewis, jdlewis@stedwards.edu. Department of Chemistry, St. Edward’s University, 3001 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704
We have begun an investigation of how meta and para substitution of various groups in phenols affects the frequency of both free and hydrogen bonded O-H stretching bands. Preliminary results suggest that the electron-withdrawing or electron-releasing nature of the substituent group does have a measurable effect on the O-H stretching band, even in the para position. Electron releasing groups such as methyl appear to increase the frequency of the O-H stretching band while the electron withdrawing groups seem to decrease the frequency of the O-H stretching band. Compounds under investigation include a variety of halo and methyl substituted phenols.