Chapter 15, Problem 15.35P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Which compound has the longer-wavelength: propyne or acetonitrile is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Compounds with lone pairs tend to have longer-wavelength absorptions than analogous compounds without lone pairs. The longest ${\text{λ}}_{\text{max}}$ for a species that has an available $\text{n }\to {\text{π}}^{\text{*}}$ transition (due to the presence of a lone pair) will be significantly longer than a comparable species that does not have such a transition available.