We present the extension of the linear response formalism to the polarizabl
e continuum model (PCM) used to study solvent effects on molecular electron
ic structures and properties. The most relevant formal aspects of the theor
y are discussed and numerical applications at the random phase approximatio
n (RPA- PCM) level for the calculation of static and dynamic polarizabiliti
es and magnetic shielding tensors, are also presented. In particular, the n
uclear magnetic shielding tensors are obtained by a generalization of the l
ocalized orbital/local origin (LORG) approach. (C) 1999 American Institute
of Physics. [S0021-9606(99)51618-8].