Raman light scattering,infrared absorption and DSC studies of the phase transition and vibrational and reorientational dynamics of H2O ligands and ClO4– anions in [Ba(H2O)3](ClO4)2

[Ba(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₂ between 90 and 300 K possesses two solid phases. One phase transition of the first‐order type at: = 211.3 K (on heating) and = 204.6 K (on cooling) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The entropy change value (ΔS ≈ 15 Jmol^–1 K^–1), associated with the observed phase transition, indicates a moderate degree of molecular dynamical disorder. Both, vibrational and reorientational motions of H₂O ligands and ClO₄^– anions, in the high‐temperature and low‐temperature phases, were investigated by Fourier transform far‐infrared and middle‐infrared and Raman light scattering spectroscopies. The temperature dependences of the full‐width at half‐maximum values of the bands associated with ρ_w(H₂O) mode, in both infrared (~570 cm^–1) and Raman light scattering (~535 cm^–1) spectra, suggest that the observed phase transition is not associated with a sudden change of a speed of the H₂O reorientational motions. Ligands reorient fast, with correlation time of the order of several picoseconds, with a mean activation energy value E_a = 5.1 kJ mol^–1 in both high and low temperature phases. On the other hand, measurements of temperature dependences of full‐width at half‐maximum values of the infrared band at ~460 cm^–1, associated with δ_d(OClO)E mode, and Raman band at ~1105 cm^–1, associated with ν_as(ClO)F₂ mode, revealed the existence of a fast ClO₄^– reorientation in phase I and in phase II, with the E_a(I) and E_a(II) values equal to 8.0 and 6.5 kJ mol^–1, respectively. These reorientational motions of ClO₄^– are slightly distorted at the T_C. Fourier transform far‐infrared and middle‐infrared spectra with decreasing of temperature indicated characteristic changes at the vicinity of PT at T_C, which suggested lowering of the crystal structure symmetry. All these experimental facts suggest that the discovered phase transition is associated with small change of H₂O ligands and somewhat major change of ClO₄^– anions reorientational dynamics, and with insignificant change of the crystal structure, too. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phonon anomalies and structural transition in spin ice Dy2Ti2O7: a simultaneous pressure‐dependent and temperature‐dependent Raman study

We revisit the assignment of Raman phonons of rare‐earth titanates by performing Raman measurements on single crystals of O¹⁸ isotope‐rich spin ice and nonmagnetic pyrochlores and compare the results with their O¹⁶ counterparts. We show that the low‐wavenumber Raman modes below 250 cm⁻¹ are not due to oxygen vibrations. A mode near 200 cm⁻¹, commonly assigned as F_2g phonon, which shows highly anomalous temperature dependence, is now assigned to a disorder‐induced Raman active mode involving Ti⁴⁺ vibrations. Moreover, we address here the origin of the ‘new’ Raman mode, observed below T_C ~ 110 K in Dy₂Ti₂O₇, through a simultaneous pressure‐dependent and temperature‐dependent Raman study. Our study confirms the ‘new’ mode to be a phonon mode. We find that dT_C/dP = + 5.9 K/GPa. Temperature dependence of other phonons has also been studied at various pressures up to ~8 GPa. We find that pressure suppresses the anomalous temperature dependence. The role of the inherent vacant sites present in the pyrochlore structure in the anomalous temperature dependence is also discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the vibrational modes of ZnO grown by MOCVD on different orientation planes

Wurtzite ZnO thin films were prepared on sapphire substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Raman scattering studies on different crystallographic textures were performed in the backscattering geometry, and polarization effect is investigated in different configurations and . ZnO Raman modes are investigated in each texture. In the case of ZnO thin film deposed on r‐() sapphire plane and using backscattering geometry, new Raman line was observed at 390 cm⁻¹ because this mode has not been noticed in this geometry. It is shown that the frequencies of the quasi‐phonon modes of the examined thin film are in good agreement with the theoretical values calculated within the framework of Loudon model. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hyper‐Raman and Raman scattering in paratellurite TeO2

Raman spectra of the tetragonal structure of paratellurite TeO₂ have been revisited avoiding anomalous polarization‐selection‐rules violations previously observed and due to optical activity. We present a complementary hyper‐Raman scattering study of paratellurite. Wavenumber and symmetry assignments are given for all expected 21 Raman active optical branches, except one LO component (out of the eight expected TO–LO pairs) of the polar doublet E modes. Also, the four expected hyper‐Raman active A₂ (TO) modes have been observed. Moreover, we have observed a strong Kleinman‐disallowed hyper‐Rayleigh signal, which is tentatively assigned as a first evidence of hyper‐Rayleigh optical activity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison between ab initio calculated and measured Raman spectrum of triclinic albite (NaAlSi3O8)

Albite is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust, and its polymorphs can be found in rocks with different cooling histories. The characteristic spectrum of vibration of the albite mineral reflects its structural Si/Al ordering. In this study, we report on the comparison between the Raman spectra measured on a natural and fully ordered (as deduced on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data) ‘low albite’, NaAlSi₃O₈, and those calculated at the hybrid Hartree–Fock/density functional theory level by employing the WC1LYP Hamiltonian, which has proven to give excellent agreement between calculated and experimentally measured vibrational wavenumbers in silicate minerals. All the 39 expected A_g modes are identified in the Raman spectra, and their wavenumbers and intensities, in different scattering configurations, correspond well to the calculated ones. The average absolute discrepancy is ~3.4 cm⁻¹, being the maximum discrepancy |Δv|_max ~ 10.3 cm⁻¹. The very good quality of the WC1LYP results allows for reliable assignments of the Raman features to specific patterns of atomic vibrational motion. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resonant Raman scattering of graphite intercalation compounds KC8, KC24, and KC36

Graphite intercalation compounds, due to charge transfer between layers of graphite and intercalants, have a strongly shifted Fermi level. Potassium is known to give its electron leading to a large charge transfer f_c close to for stage 1 (KC₈) and for stage 2 (KC₂₄). The question is more subtle in stage 3 (KC₃₆) for which the graphene layers are not equivalent. For stage 3, two Raman G bands are clearly visible, corresponding to the interior layer and the boundary layers, respectively. By varying the excitation energy from UV to infrared, we observe that the intensity of the boundary layers G band versus that of the interior layer is maximum at 2.5 eV, leading to a sharp resonance profile at room temperature. Using first‐principle calculation, we associate this transition to π → π^∗ of the bounding layers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DFT‐assisted interpretation of the Raman spectra of hydrogen‐ordered ice XV

The vibrational spectra of the condensed phases of water often show broad and strongly overlapping spectral features which can make spectroscopic interpretations and peak assignments difficult. The Raman spectra of hydrogen‐ordered H₂O and D₂O ice XV are reported here, and it is shown that the spectra can be fully interpreted in terms of assigning normal modes to the various spectral features by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The calculated lattice‐vibration spectrum of the experimental antiferroelectric structure is in good agreement with the experimental data whereas the spectrum of a ferroelectric Cc structure, which computational studies have suggested as the crystal structure of ice XV, differs substantially. Moreover, the calculated coupled O–H stretch spectrum also seems in better agreement with the experiment than the calculated spectrum for the Cc structure. Both the hydrogen bonds as well as the covalent bonds appear to be stronger in hydrogen‐ordered ice XV than in the hydrogen‐disordered counterpart ice VI. A new type of stretching mode is identified, and it is speculated that this kind of mode might be relevant for other condensed water phases as well. Furthermore, the ice XV spectra are compared to the spectra of ice VIII which is the only other high‐pressure phase of ice for which detailed spectroscopic assignments have been made so far. In summary, we have established a link between crystallographic data and spectroscopic information in the case of ice XV by using DFT‐calculated spectra. Such correlations may eventually help interpreting the vibrational spectra of more structurally‐disordered aqueous systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Real‐time Raman spectroscopy measurements to study the uniaxial tension of isotactic polypropylene: a global overview of microstructural deformation mechanisms

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the main deformation micromechanisms of isotactic polypropylene uniaxially stretched at constant temperature (T = 30 °C) under a constant true strain rate ( = 5.10⁻³ s⁻¹). To accurate measurements namely to be free of the recovering phenomenon which causes in most of the cases interference during post‐mortem analysis, we introduced a new experimental setup combining a Raman spectrometer with a tensile machine piloted by the VidéoTraction™ system. Microstructure is described by essential parameters such as the crystallinity index, the macromolecular orientation both in the crystalline and the amorphous phase, and distribution of the internal stress at the chemical bonds scale. For each, a well‐tried Raman spectral criterion was used. Cross‐checking of these results, obtained with a minimum of tensile tests, allows a more complete understanding of the deformation micromechanisms of semi‐crystalline polymer. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of M3B7O13X boracites (M = Cr,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd; X = Cl,Br,I)

We report results of a Raman study on single crystals of 16 boracites M₃B₇O₁₃X (M = Cr,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd; X = Cl,Br,I) over a broad temperature range. The Raman modes for all boracites in their high‐temperature prototype cubic (F3c) phase are compared. With decreasing temperature, most (but not all) compounds present a transition to the low‐temperature orthorhombic phase (Pca2₁) or to a sequence of orthorhombic, monoclinic (Pa), and trigonal (R3c) phases. The variations of the Raman spectra through different phases are studied in detail. Special attention is paid to the temperature hysteresis near the transitions and the dependence of transition temperature on the direction of crystal growth for the same material. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Abnormal Raman spectra in Er‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics

Greatly enhanced and abnormal Raman spectra were discovered in the nominal (Ba_{1 − x}Er_x)Ti_{1 − x/4}O₃ (x = 0.01) (BET) ceramic for the first time and investigated in relation to the site occupations of Er³⁺ ions. BaTiO₃ doped with Ti‐site Er³⁺ mainly exhibited the common Raman phonon modes of the tetragonal BaTiO₃. Er³⁺ ions substituted for Ba sites are responsible for the abnormal Raman spectra, but the formation of defect complexes will decrease spectral intensity. A large increase in intensity showed a hundredfold selectivity for Ba‐site Er³⁺ ions over Ti‐site Er³⁺ ions. A strong EPR signal at g = 1.974 associated with ionized Ba vacancy defects appeared in BET, and the defect chemistry study indicated that the real formula of BET is expressed by (Ba_{1 − x}Er_3x/4)(Ti_{1 − x/4}Er_x/4)O₃. These abnormal Raman signals were verified to originate from a fluorescent effect corresponding to ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Ba‐site Er³⁺ ions. The fluorescent signals were so intense that they overwhelmed the traditional Raman spectra of BaTiO₃. The significance is that the abnormal Raman spectra may act as a probe for the Ba‐site Er³⁺ occupation in BaTiO₃ co‐doped with Er³⁺ and other dopants. A new broad EPR signal at g = 2.23 was discovered, which originated from Er³⁺ Kramers ions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ion–polymer and ion–ion interaction in PEO‐based polymer electrolytes having complexing salt LiClO4 and/or ionic liquid, [BMIM][PF6]

Ion–polymer and ion–ion association in polymer electrolyte films of PEO complexed with salt LiClO₄, ionic liquid (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, BMIMPF₆) and (LiClO₄ + BMIMPF₆) have been studied by laser Raman spectroscopy. The cations (Li⁺ and/or BMIM⁺) of the dopant salt/IL are shown to complex with the ether oxygen of the polymer backbone (i.e. C O C bond of PEO). The polymer–cation complexation results in the appearance of an additional peak at ∼1131 cm⁻¹ apart from the C O C stretching vibrations of PEO at ∼1062 and 1141 cm⁻¹. This peak due to polymer–cation complexation is relatively strong for LiClO₄ than BMIMPF₆, indicating stronger interaction for the former. In the PEO:LiClO₄ and PEO:BMIMPF₆ spectra, Raman peaks at 937 and 747 cm⁻¹, respectively related to Li⁺· ClO and BMIM⁺· PF ‘contact ion pairs’, have also been observed as a result of ion–ion association. In the polymer electrolyte PEO:LiClO₄ + BMIMPF₆ which contained two different anions, viz. ClO and PF, an interesting observation of the formation of ‘cross contact ion pairs’ viz. Li⁺· PF and BMIM⁺· ClO is also reported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Beryllium Silicate,Be2SiO4 (phenakite) – a Novel Trigonal SRS‐Active Crystal

In single crystals of the beryllium silicate Be₂SiO₄ with trigonal symmetry , known also as the mineral phenakite, χ⁽³⁾‐nonlinear lasing by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) is investigated. All observed Stokes and anti‐Stokes lasing components are identified and ascribed to a single SRS‐promoting vibration mode with ω_SRS ≈876 cm⁻¹. With picosecond single‐wavelength pumping at one micrometer the generation of an octave‐spanning Stokes and anti‐Stokes comb is observed.     

Raman spectroscopy of ionic liquids derived from 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and niobium chloride or zinc chloride mixtures

Anionic species formed in mixtures of 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BMICl) with different amounts of niobium pentachloride (NbCl₅) or zinc dichloride (ZnCl₂) were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. In the BMICl and NbCl₅ ionic mixtures the presence of the anion NbCl₆⁻ was detected for all compositions (molar fraction, X) and a mixture of this anion and the neutral Nb₂Cl₁₀ in acid ones. Two different anions were observed for basic mixtures of BMICl and ZnCl₂: ZnCl₄²⁻(0 < X < 0.35) and Zn₂Cl₆²⁻(X > 0.3), whereas for acidic ones three species were detected: Zn₂Cl₆²⁻(X < 0.7), Zn₃Cl₈²⁻(X > 0.7) and Zn₄Cl₁₀²⁻(X > 0.7). It has also been observed that in both cases, the formation of larger anions causes a shift of the C H stretching modes to higher wavenumbers as the result of a decrease in the hydrogen bond between Cl and the hydrogens from the cation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase acidity of bis[(perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl]imides. Effects of the perfluoroalkyl group on the acidity

The gas‐phase acidity (GA) values were determined for a number of perfluoroalkyl‐substituted sulfonylimides by measuring proton‐transfer equilibria using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometer. The GA scale below 286.5 kcal mol^?1 for (CF₃SO₂)₂NH was extended and partially revised. The GA value of (C₄F₉SO₂)₂NH which is currently the strongest acid was revised from 284.1 to 278.6 kcal mol^?1. The effect of fluorine atoms on the acidity of perfluoroalkyl‐substituted sulfonylimides was described with the following model where N_(α), N_(β), N_(γ), and N_(δ) are the numbers of fluorine atoms at α, β, γ, and δ position in R_fSO₂ (R_f = perfluoroalkyl group), respectively. This correlation indicates that the electron‐withdrawing ability of the R_fSO₂ group can be described in terms of the number of fluorine atoms in the perfluoroalkyl group corrected by taking into account their positions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Single‐crystal Raman spectroscopy of brandholzite Mg[Sb(OH)6]2•6H2O and bottinoite Ni[Sb(OH)6]2• 6H2O and the polycrystalline Raman spectrum of mopungite Na[Sb(OH)6]

The single‐crystal Raman spectra of minerals brandholzite and bottinoite, formula M[Sb(OH)₆]₂•6H₂O, where M is Mg⁺² and Ni⁺², respectively, and the non‐aligned Raman spectrum of mopungite, formula Na[Sb(OH)₆], are presented for the first time. The mixed metal minerals comprise alternating layers of [Sb(OH)₆]⁻¹ octahedra and mixed [M(H₂O)₆]⁺²/[Sb(OH)₆]⁻¹ octahedra. Mopungite comprises hydrogen‐bonded layers of [Sb(OH)₆]⁻¹ octahedra linked within the layer by Na⁺ ions. The spectra of the three minerals were dominated by the Sb O symmetric stretch of the [Sb(OH)₆]⁻¹ octahedron, which occurs at approximately 620 cm⁻¹. The Raman spectrum of mopungite showed many similarities to spectra of the di‐octahedral minerals, supporting the view that the Sb octahedra give rise to most of the Raman bands observed, particularly below 1200 cm⁻¹. Assignments have been proposed on the basis of the spectral comparison between the minerals, prior literature and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the vibrational spectra of the free [Sb(OH)₆]⁻¹ and [M(H₂O)₆]⁺² octahedra by a model chemistry of B3LYP/6‐31G(d) and lanl2dz for the Sb atom. The single‐crystal spectra showed good mode separation, allowing most of the bands to be assigned to the symmetry species A or E. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Infrared and Raman Spectra,conformations, ab initio calculations and spectral assignments of 1,3‐disilabutane (SiH3CH2SiH2CH3)

Raman spectra of 1,3‐disilabutane (SiH₃CH₂SiH₂CH₃) as a liquid were recorded at 293 K and as a solid at 78 K. In the Raman cryostat at 78 K an amorphous phase was first formed, giving a spectrum similar to that of the liquid. After annealing to 120 K, the sample crystallized and large changes occurred in the spectra since more than 20 bands present in the amorphous solid phase vanished. These spectral changes made it possible to assign Raman bands to the anti or gauche conformers with confidence. Additional Raman spectra were recorded of the liquid at 14 temperatures between 293 and 137 K. Some Raman bands changed their peak heights with temperature but were countered by changes in linewidths, and from three band pairs assigned to the anti and gauche conformers, the conformational enthalpy difference Δ_confH(gauche–anti) was found to be 0 ± 0.3 kJ mol⁻¹ in the liquid. Infrared spectra were obtained in the vapor and in the liquid phases at ambient temperature and in the solid phases at 78 K in the range 4000–400 cm⁻¹. The sample crystallized immediately when deposited on the CsI window at 78 K, and many bands present in the vapor and liquid disappeared. Additional infrared spectra in argon matrixes at 5 K were recorded before and after annealing to temperatures 20–34 K. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out at the HF, MP2 and B3LYP levels with a variety of basis sets. The HF and DFT calculations suggested the anti conformer as the more stable one by ca 1 kJ mol⁻¹, while the MP2 results favored gauche by up to 0.4 kJ mol⁻¹. The Complete Basis Set method CBS‐QB3 gave an energy difference of 0.1 kJ mol⁻¹, with anti as the more stable one. Scaled force fields from B3LYP/cc‐pVQZ calculations gave vibrational wavenumbers and band intensities for the two conformers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Raman spectroscopy of indium‐based hydrotalcites of formula Mg6In2(CO3)(OH)16· 4H2O

Insight into the unique structure of layered double hydroxides has been obtained using a combination of X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Indium‐containing hydrotalcites of formula Mg₄In₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₂· 4H₂O [2:1 In‐LDH (layered double hydroxides)] through to Mg₈In₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₈· 4H₂O (4:1 In‐LDH) with variation in the Mg : In ratio have been successfully synthesized. The d(003) spacing varied from 7.83 Å for the 2:1 LDH to 8.15 Å for the 3:1 indium‐containing layered double hydroxide. Raman spectroscopy complemented with selected infrared data has been used to characterize the synthesized indium‐containing layered double hydroxides of formula Mg₆In₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₆· 4H₂O. Raman bands observed at around 1058, 1075 and 1115 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the symmetric stretching modes of the CO₃²⁻ units. Multiple ν₃ CO₃²⁻ antisymmetric stretching modes are found at around 1348, 1373, 1429 and 1488 cm⁻¹ in the infrared spectra. The splitting of this mode indicates that the carbonate anion is in a perturbed state. Raman bands observed at 690 and 700 cm⁻¹ assigned to the ν₄ CO₃²⁻ modes support the concept of multiple carbonate species in the interlayer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman microscopy of haidingerite Ca(AsO3OH)·H2O and brassite Mg(AsO3OH)·4H2O

Raman spectroscopy has been used to study the arsenate minerals haidingerite Ca(AsO₃OH)·H₂O and brassite Mg(AsO₃OH)·4H₂O. Intense Raman bands in the haidingerite spectrum observed at 745 and 855 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the (AsO₃OH)²⁻ν₃ antisymmetric stretching and ν₁ symmetric stretching vibrational modes. For brassite, two similarly assigned intense bands are found at 809 and 862 cm⁻¹. The observation of multiple Raman bands in the (AsO₃OH)²⁻ stretching and bending regions suggests that the arsenate tetrahedrons in the crystal structures of both minerals studied are strongly distorted. Broad Raman bands observed at 2842 cm⁻¹ for haidingerite and 3035 cm⁻¹ for brassite indicate strong hydrogen bonding of water molecules in the structure of these minerals. OH···O hydrogen‐bond lengths were calculated from the Raman spectra based on empirical relations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of gallium‐based hydrotalcites of formula Mg6Ga2(CO3)(OH)16· 4H2O

Insight into the unique structure of hydrotalcites has been obtained using Raman spectroscopy. Gallium‐containing hydrotalcites of formula Mg₄Ga₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₂· 4H₂O (2:1 Ga‐HT) to Mg₈Ga₂(CO₃)(OH)₂₀· 4H₂O (4:1 Ga‐HT) have been successfully synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The d(003) spacing varied from 7.83 Å for the 2:1 hydrotalcite to 8.15 Å for the 3:1 gallium‐containing hydrotalcite. Raman spectroscopy complemented with selected infrared data has been used to characterize the synthesized gallium‐containing hydrotalcites of formula Mg₆Ga₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₆· 4H₂O. Raman bands observed at around 1046, 1048 and 1058 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the symmetric stretching modes of the CO₃²⁻ units. Multiple ν₃ CO₃²⁻ antisymmetric stretching modes are found at around 1346, 1378, 1446, 1464 and 1494 cm⁻¹. The splitting of this mode indicates that the carbonate anion is in a perturbed state. Raman bands observed at 710 and 717 cm⁻¹ assigned to the ν₄ (CO₃²⁻) modes support the concept of multiple carbonate species in the interlayer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopy properties of the amide group in valpromide and some derivatives with antiepileptic activity

Infrared spectra at 300 and 77 K and Raman spectra at 300 K of the valpromide (Vpd), N‐substituted derivatives, N‐ethylvalpromide (Etvpd), N‐isopropylvalpromide (Ipvpd) and the N,N‐disubstituted derivative, N,N‐dimethylvalpromide (Dmvpd) with antiepileptic activity, have been measured and analyzed with results derived from computational chemistry calculation. In agreement with theoretical predictions, experimental data indicate that while in Etvpd, Dmvpd and Ipvpd there are four different conformational co‐existing components (Etvpd: TTCG⁺, TCCG⁻, TTTC, G⁺G⁺C G⁺; Dmvpd: TTCC, G⁻TTA⁺, G⁺A⁻TC, G⁺A⁻C A⁺; Ipvpd: TTCT, TCCT, TCCC, G⁻ TTT) in the Vpd there are only three distinct stable conformations of C₁ symmetry group: TTC, TCT, G⁺G⁺T. Based on the accuracy of the B3LYP calculation, with the 6‐31 + G** basis set estimated by comparison between the predicted values of the vibrational modes and the available experimental data, we performed a structural and vibrational study of the amide group in the Vpd and their derivatives. We found that small nonplanarity deviations of C(O)N backbone induce significant changes on the structural and spectroscopic properties. These are not compatible with the decreasing of the resonance effect as it is produced when the twisting around the C(O) N increases. From the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis the existence of stabilizing electrostatic interactions of type C H···O/N and C H···H N/C, which induce significant structural changes and a complex electronic redistribution of charge on the π‐system in those structures becomes evident. We view this as a consequence of the filled electron density change Lewis‐type NBOs type lp_{O1, 2}, lp_N1, σ_{(C H)N acyl} and empty non‐Lewis NBOs type σ*_{(C H)N acyl}, σ*_{N H}. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.