Electronic absorption/emission, H-1 NMR spectroscopy and quantum mecha
nical calculations have been used to characterize the ground-state con
formation of o-methoxy-and o-hexyloxy-benzamides in different solvents
. Experimental evidence supports the assumption that a conformation ha
ving an intramolecular H-bond between one amide hydrogen and the o-alk
oxy oxygen is significantly populated even in aqueous solutions.