Abstract In this paper a solid state NMR relaxation study and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments (the latter in the solid and liquid phase) are reported for a molecule containing methyl groups in different surroundings, namely 1,4-dimethoxy-2,6-dimethylbenzene. The results are compared with each other and with those of a liquid state NMR study reported earlier. It is found that in this way both the shapes and magnitudes of the various hindering potentials can be determined. The result is that the methyl groups 1, 2 and 4 possess a threefold cosine-shaped potential with heights given by 7.7, 9.0 and 15.0 kJ/mol according to the solid state NMR measurements (from the INS study the values 7.5, 7.5 and 16.0 kJ/mol were obtained). For methyl group 6 a mixture of a three-and six-fold symmetry had to be taken into account in order to explain the experiments. Except for methyl group 4 the liquid state NMR results deviate from those obtained with the other two techniques. A possible cause for this discrepancy is discussed. For the molecular structure it is concluded that the reorientations of the methyl groups 1 and 2 are influenced by mutual hindering and that the angle between the plane through the C4-O-C bond and the aromatic plane is small, whereas for the C1-O-C bond this angle is estimated to be about 70°.
