Spectroscopic Probing of Solvation Interactions

Three spectroscopic methods have been developed to probe structures of solvation environments in organic solutions: electronic band broadening measurements, two-photon perturbation studies, and fluorescence depolarization experiments. The results of each spectroscopic study indicate that the method does sense solvation structural effects rather than a completely amorphous liquid. The application of these probes is especially promising for investigations of liquid chromatographic retention mechanisms, and a preliminary study of the separation of aromatic isomers is discussed.