ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 19, Number 3
JKCSEZ 19(3)
June 20, 1975 

Pivalic acid, which has a globular shape and is a plastic crystal, has been examined by means of temperature-dependent with-line proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results of temperature-dependent line width, second moment, and spin-lattice relaxation time studies of pivalic acid were interpreted in terms of dynamic behavior and hydrogen bonding. The dynamic behavior consists of superimposed reorientation of the methyl groups about their three-fold axes(C3) and of the molecule about the central C-C bond(C3'), general molecular reorientation about the center of gravity, and molecular self-diffusion. Activation energies for the motional processes have been obtained from line width measurements using the modified Bloembergen, Purcell, and Pound theory and from spin-lattice relaxation time measurements. The results were compared with the Pople-Karasz theory of fusion and the agreement was found to be poor. The discrepancy was interpreted in terms of hydrogen bonding in this molecule.