Electronic spectra, of alcohols

Electronic spectra of alcohols and alkenes in strong proton acids (H2SO4) were obtained by Rosenbaum and Symons.86 They observed, for a number of simple aliphatic alcohols and alkenes, absorption maxima around 290 nm and ascribed this absorption to the corresponding alkyl cations. 

Measurements of the electronic spectra of alcohols, ethers, benzene, and even saturated hydrocarbons show that there is interaction of the charge-transfer type with the oxygen molecule. However, there is no true complex formation, since the heats of formation are negligible and the spectral changes are due to contact between the molecules at van der Waals distances. The classic example is that of... 

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