AbstractThe dynamics of the molecular rotation of 2(1H)‐pyridone and 1‐methyl‐2(1H)‐pyridone in toluene, carbon tetrachloride, methanol and water have been investigated at 305 K by13C and2H NMR. Both chemical shifts and relaxation times show that 2‐pyridonc forms stable hydrogen‐bonded complexes in methanol and in water, reorienting as a complete unit and taking with it two solvent molecules. These solvated species are stable within the liquid‐state temperature range, and reorient according to the hydrodynamic law as indicated by the14N line width measurements. It follows that the lifetimes of these complexes are always greater by at least an order of magnitude than the rotational correlation time scale. Analysis of the14N quadrupole coupling constants and the rotational anisotropy support the structure and stability of th