Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University / It hae been proposed in the literature (18) that complexes between aromatic nitro compounds and aromatic bfdrocarbons are the reeult of an electron transfer from the hydrocarbon to the nitro compound with the resultant formation of ions. The conductivity of such a complex, that between anthracene and trinitrobenzene, was measured in liquid sulfur dioxide to teat this hypothesis. The conductivity of the complex was found to be the sum of the two components, which indicated no ions present in solution and pointed to the non-existence of the complex in solution. Spectral work done by R. W. Weston (20) supports the contention that the complex does not exist in solution. Ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the complex in liquid sulfur dioxide was the sum of the spectra of the two components. The conductivity of triphenylcarbinol was measured in liquid sulfur dioxide in a concentration range of 200-195,000 liters per mole. With magnesium perchlorate as the drying agent in the gas train a drift at the initial concentration, as well as lower conductivities at the higher concentrations was noted, in contrast to the work of Glazer (3). With OaOl2 as the drying agent, no drift was observed, and conductivity values were in general agreement with those of Glazer. A possible mechanism for the observed results has been suggested.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / The following new compounds were prepared by adaptations of standard methods: p-neopentylphenyldiphenyl carbinol, di-p-neopentylphenylphenyl carbinol, tri-p-neopentylphenyl carbinol, m-neopentylphenyldiphenyl carbinol, and di-m-neopentylphenylphenylmethyl chloride. The preparation of tri-m-neopentylphenyl carbinol was attempted unsuccessfully. Other compounds prepared for the first time as intermediates in these preparations are o- and p-nitroneopentylbenzene, o- and p-aminoneopentylbenzene, o-acetaminoneopentylbenzene, m-bromoneopentylbenzene, 3,5-di-bromoneopentylbenzene, 3-bromo-4-acetaminoneopentylbenzene, 3-bromo-4-aminoneopentylbenzene, p-bromoneopentylbenzene, p,p'-dineopentylbiphenyl, and ethyl-p-neopentylphenyldiphenylmethyl ether. [TRUNCATED]