Natural abundance 13C spectra of solvent coordinated to the cation have been observed in solutions of Mg(II) and Al(III) salts in alcohols. Carbon shielding changes induced by cations resemble those induced by electronegative substituents; a sign reversal between the β and γ positions is found in both instances. Solvent exchange rates correspond to those found by 1H n.m.r.; this confirms that whole molecule exchange is dominant. Selective relaxation of the solvation shell signals at low temperatures reflects differences in conformational mobility within the solvation complex.
