Solute-solvent interactions in liquid noble gases as probed by the conformational equilibrium of some 1,2-disubstituted ethanes

Using variable-temperature infrared spectroscopy, the enthalpy difference between the trans and gauche conformers of 1-chloro-2-fluoroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1-chloropropane has been determined in the gas phase and in solutions of liquefied krypton and xenon. Using a simple reaction field model, the changes in the enthalpy differences between vapor phase and solution are quantitatively explained as the result of weak dipole-induced dipole interactions appearing between the solute molecules and the surrounding noble gas atoms.