On the rate of spreading of long chain n-alcohols and n-alkoxy ethanols from solid into monolayer on water

Abstract

Measurements of the initial rate of spreading of the solid into the insoluble monolayer on water surfaces of n-long-chain alcohols, C_n-OH, and alkoxy ethanols C_n-OC₂H₄OH, (n-14, 16, 18, 20, and 22), were made in the temperature interval 15°C., to 35°C. The rate decreases with the chain length and with decrease in temperature in both the series, but the n-alkoxy ethanols were found to exhibit higher rates of spreading than the corresponding alcohols. Applying the Arrhenius equation to this rate, the enthalpy of activation and the frequency factor were calculated for each compound. The rate of spreading at higher film pressures was further studied for the C₁₆-OH and the C₁₈-OC₂H₄OH.