Raman and Infrared Spectra, Ab Initio Calculations, Normal Coordinate Analysis, and Conformational Stability of 2-Methoxypropene

The Raman (3500–40 cm^–1) and infrared (3500–70 cm^–1) spectra of gaseous and solid 2-methoxypropene, CH₃O(CH₃)C=CH₂, and the isotopomers, CD₃O(CH₃)C=CH₂ and CH₃O(CD₃)C=CD₂ have been recorded. In addition, the Raman spectra of the liquids have been recorded with qualitative depolarization measurements. All of these data indicate that only one conformer is present in the fluid phases at ambient temperature and this form is the cis conformer, which remains in the solid. Assignments are provided for the fundamentals of all three isotopomers for the cis conformer with C_s symmetry. The far-infrared spectra of all three isotopic species have been recorded at a resolution of 0.1 cm^–1 in the gas and 1.0 cm^–1 in the solid. The parameters of the potential function governing the asymmetric torsion are determined to be V₃ = 1485 ± 9 cm^–1 and V₆ = –55 ± 4 cm^–1 for the d₀ compound, where only two terms were determined, since a second conformer was not evident. The barrier to internal rotation for the methyl group attached to the oxygen atom is 1370 ± 8 cm^–1 and the C—CH₃ barrier is 772 ± 5 cm^–1. Ab initio calculations with full electron correlation have been carried out by the perturbation method to second order to obtain the equilibrium structural parameters, harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization values, and conformational stability. The predicted values have been compared to the experimental values where appropriate.     

Conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,normal coordinate analysis,and vibrational assignment of chloroacetyl bromide

The infrared spectra (3200 to 30 cm^–1) of gaseous and solid chloroacetyl bromide, CH₂ClC(O)Br, and the Raman spectra (3200 to 10 cm^–1) of the gas, liquid (with depolarization data), and solid have been recorded. From the observed asymmetric torsional transitions, the potential function governing internal rotation of the CH₂Cl moiety has been determined with the following coefficients:V ₁=336±11,V ₂=73±10,V ₃=757+7,V ₄=103±3, andV ₆=5±2 cm^–1. This potential function is consistent with s-trans to gauche and gauche to gauche barriers of 963±11 and 709±12cm^–1, respectively, and enthalpy difference of 373 ± 24 cm^–1 with the dihedral angle of the gauche rotamer being 115°. The enthalpy difference has been determined experimentally from the studies of the Raman spectra at different temperatures to be 359±68 cm^–1 (1.03±0.19 kcal mol^–1) and 507±24 cm^–1 (1.45±0.07 kcal mol^–1) for the gas and liquid, respectively, with the s-trans conformer being the more stable conformer in the gas and liquid and the only one present in the annealed solid. A complete assignment of the vibrational fundamentals is proposed from spectral data obtained for the gas, liquid, and solid. The assignment is supported by a normal coordinate calculation utilizing a modified valence force field to obtain the frequencies for the normal vibrations and the potential energy distribution. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.Taken in part from the thesis of H. V. Phan, which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree.     

Far infrared spectrum,conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,vibrational assignment,and ab initio calculations of 2-chloro-3-fluoropropene

The far infrared spectrum (375 to 30 cm^–1) of gaseous 2-chloro-3-fluoropropene, CH₂=C(CH₂F)CI, has been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. The fundamental asymmetric torsional mode is observed at 117.5 cm^–1 with ten excited states falling to low frequency for thes-cis (fluorine atom eclipsing the double bond) conformer. For the higher energy gauche conformer, the asymmetric torsion is estimated to be at 94 cm^–1. From these data the asymmetric torsional potential function has been calculated. The potential function coefficients are calculated to be in cm^–1):V ₁=803±21,V ₂=–94±21,V ₃= 1025±10,V ₄=95±10, andV ₆=2±1, with an enthalpy difference between the more stables-cis and gauche conformera of 550±100 cm^–1 (1.57±0.29 kcal/mol). This function gives values of 1227±50cm^–1(3.51±0.14kcal/mol), 1266±200 cm^–1 (3.62±0.57 kcal/mol), and 665±100 cm^–1 (1.90±0.29 kcal/mol), for thes-cis to gauche, gauche to gauche, and gauche tos-cis barriers, respectively. From the relative intensities of the Raman lines of the gas at 652 cm^–1 (gauche) and 731 cm^–1 (s-cis) as a function temperature, the enthalpy difference is found to be 565±96 cm^–1 (1.62±0.27 kcal/mol). However, the more polar gauche conformer remains in the crystalline solid. The Raman spectrum of the gas has been recorded from 3500 to 70 cm^–1 and, utilizing these data and the previously reported infrared data, a complete vibrational analysis is proposed for both conformers. The conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, fundamental vibrational frequencies, and structural parameters that have been determined experimentally are compared to those obtained from ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations employing both the 3–21 G^* and 6–31G^* basis sets and to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, normal coordinate analysis, ab initio calculations, and vibrational assignment of 1-fluoro-1-methylsilacyclobutane

The infrared (3500–40 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid 1-fluoro-1-methylsilacyclobutane, c-C₃H₆SiF(CH₃), have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum (3500–30 cm⁻¹) of the liquid has been recorded and quantitative depolarization values have been obtained. Both the axial and equatorial (with respect to the methyl group) conformers have been identified in the fluid phases. Variable temperature (−55–−100°C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 267±10 cm⁻¹ (3.19±0.12 kJ mol⁻¹), with the axial conformer being the more stable form and the only conformer remaining in the polycrystalline solid. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the axial conformer and many of the fundamentals for the equatorial conformer have also been identified. The vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing ab initio force constants. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G* and 6-311++G** basis sets at the levels of restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and/or Moller–Plesset (MP) to second order. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained for some similar molecules.     

Conformational Stability,Structural Parameters,Vibrational Frequencies,and Raman and Infrared Intensities of Allylsilane

The Raman spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of allylsilane, CH₂CHCH₂SiH₃, in the liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid states and the infrared spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of the gas and solid have been recorded. Similar data have also been recorded for the Si-d₃ isotopomer. Additionally, the mid-infrared spectra of the normal sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (–100 to –50°C) have been recorded. All these data indicate there is a single conformer, the gauche rotamer, in all three physical states. Utilizing the Si-H stretching frequencies from the infrared spectrum of the gaseous CH₂CHCH₂SiD₂H isotopomer, the three Si-H bond distances (r ₀) are calculated to be 1.484 Å for the gauche conformer. The other r ₀ parameters are estimated from the previously reported rotational constants. The fundamental frequencies for the asymmetric (78 cm^–1) and SiH₃ (137 cm^–1) torsions were obtained from sum and difference bands with the SiH₃ stretches. From the SiH₃ torsional frequency the barrier to internal rotation is calculated to have a value of 731 cm^–1 (8.74 kJ/mol). The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies have been obtained from RHF/6-31G* and/or MP2/6-31G* ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with some corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

Vibrational Spectra, Assignment, Conformational Stability and Ab Initio/DFT Calculations for 1-Nitropropane

The infrared spectra (4000–400 cm^{– 1}) of solid and the Raman spectra (3500–30 cm^{– 1}) of liquid and solid 1-nitropropane, CH₃CH₂CH₂NO₂, have been registered. Both the trans and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phase, while the trans form remains in the stable solid. Temperature dependence (190–230K) of the liquid 1-nitropropane Raman spectra has been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference was determined to be 870 ± 105 J-mol^–1, with the gauche conformer being the more stable rotamer. Ab initio and DFT calculations at different levels of approximation (HF, MP2, B3LYP, B3PW91) gave optimized geometries, harmonic force fields, and vibrational frequencies for the trans and gauche conformers. All the calculations (except the B3PW91/6-31G* level) predicted gauche as the low-energy conformer. Theoretical force constants are analyzed for formulating constraints in the molecular force field model of 1-nitropropane.     

Conformational Stability, Raman and Infrared Spectra, Vibrational Assignment, and Ab Initio Calculations of Allyltrifluorosilane

The Raman spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of allyltrifluorosilane, CH₂CHCH₂SiF₃, in the liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid states, and the infrared spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of the gas and solid have been recorded. Additionally, the mid-infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (–100° to –55°C) have been recorded. All of these data indicate there are two conformers, the more stable gauche rotamer and a very small amount of the cis conformer in the fluid states, but only the gauche form remains in the polycrystalline solid. The variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of the xenon solution indicate a relatively large enthalpy difference of 354±30 cm^–1 (4.23±0.36 kJ/mol) between the conformers. The fundamental frequencies for the asymmetric (54 cm^–1) and SiF₃ (48 cm^–1) torsions for the gauche conformer were observed in the far infrared spectrum, and from the SiF₃ torsional frequency the barrier to internal rotation is calculated to have a value of 525 cm^–1 (6.28 kJ/mol). A complete vibrational assignment is presented for the gauche conformer that is consistent with the predicted wavenumbers utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G* calculations. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational wavenumbers have been obtained from RHF/6-31G* and/or MP2/6-31G* ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with corresponding results for some similar molecules.Taken in part from the dissertation of Y. E. Nashed, which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree     

Conformational analysis,barriers to internal rotation and vibrational assignment for dimethylethylamine

The IR (50–3500 cm^?1) and Raman (20–3500 cm^?1) spectra have been recorded for gaseous and solid dimethylethylamine. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. Due to the fact that three distinct Raman lines disappear on going from the fluid phases to the solid state, it is concluded that the molecule exists as a mixture of the gauche and trans conformers in the fluid phases with the gauche conformer being more stable and the only one present in the spectra of the unannealed solid. From the temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid a rough estimate of 3.9 kcal mol^?1 has been obtained for ΔH. Relying mainly on group frequencies and relative intensities of the IR and Raman lines, a complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the gauche conformer. The potential functions for the three methyl rotors have been obtained, and the barriers to internal rotation for the two CH₃ rotors attached to the nitrogen atom have been calculated to be 3.51 and 3.43 kcal mol^?1, whereas the barrier for the CH₃ rotor of the ethyl group has been calculated to be 3.71 kcal mol^?1. The asymmetric torsional mode for the gauche conformer has been observed in both the IR and Raman spectra of the gas at 105 cm^?1 with at least one hot band at a lower frequency. Since the corresponding mode has not been observed for the trans conformer, it is not possible to obtain the potential function for the asymmetric rotation although estimates on the magnitudes of some of the terms have been made. Significant changes occur in the low-frequency IR and Raman spectra of the solid with repeated annealing; several possible reasons for these changes are discussed and one possible explanation is that a conformational change is taking place in the solid where the trans form is stabilized by crystal packing forces. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar amines.     

Low-resolution microwave,infrared and Raman spectra,ab initio calculations and conformational analysis of 1-bromo-2-methoxyethane

The microwave spectrum of gaseous 1-bromo-2-methoxyethane, BrCH₂CH₂OCH₃, has been recorded from 18.0 to 27.0 GHz at low resolution. The Raman spectra of the gas, liquid, and solid along with the infrared spectra of the gas and solid have been recorded from 3500 to 50 cm^–1. A comparison of the vibrational spectra obtained for the fluid phases with those obtained for the annealed solid indicates the presence of more than one conformer in the fluid phases. The presence of two asymmetric rotors allows for five possible conformations, a majority of which are present in the gaseous phase. It is concluded that the conformation present in the solid phase is that of the gauche/trans (GT) form, where the first term refers to the carbon-bromine bond and the second term to the carbon-oxygen bond (methoxy group). In the gas phase the major absorption in the microwave spectrum is a result of the trans/trans (TT) form although it is certain that other conformations are also present. From a variable temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid, the enthalpy difference between the conformers of the—OCH₃ group was found to be 850 ±115 cm^–1 (2.43±0.33 kcal/mol) whereas the difference between the conformers of the—CH₂Br group as found to be 510±24cm^–1 (1.46±0.07 kcal/mol). The conformational energy differences, vibrational frequencies, and structural parameters have been obtained from ab initio calculations with the STO-3G^* basis set, and these theoretical values are compared to the experimental values. All of these results are compared to similar data for some corresponding molecules.Taken in part from the thesis of R. A. Larsen which was submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree.     

Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds

The Raman (50 to 3200 cm^–1) and infrared (50 to 3500 cm^–1) spectra of chlorodimethylmethoxysilane, Cl(CH₃)₂SiOCH₃, in the vapor and solid phases have been recorded. Raman spectra of the liquid including depolarization ratios have also been recorded. Optimized geometries and conformational stabilities have been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing the RHF/3–21G* and RHF/6–31G* basis sets. The calculations from both of these basis sets indicated the gauche conformer to be significantly more stable than the trans conformer. Since the gauche has twice the multiplicity of the trans form it is unlikely that the trans conformer will be detected in the fluid phases at room temperature. This is supported by the fact that no infrared or Raman bands were found to vanish in the spectra of the crystalline solid. The vibrational frequencies have been calculated using appropriate scaling factors, and the vibrational spectra are interpreted in detail. The results have been compared with those obtained for some related molecules.Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Kriegsmann on the occasion of his 70th birthdayFor part XX, see J Raman Spectrosc 26:in press (1995)Analytical R/D Department, Organic Products Division, Miles Inc., Bushy Park Plant. Charleston, SC 9411, USAChemistry Department, Mu'tah University, P.O.Box 7, Mu'tah-Karak, JordanDepartment of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, B-234, RussiaDepartment of Ceramic Engineering, Inha University, Nam-Ku, Incheon 160, KoreaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Oslo, P.O.Box 1033, 0315 Oslo, Norway     

Spectra and structure of phosphorus—boron compounds—XXVI. Infrared and Raman spectra,conformational stability and normal coordinate analysis of ethyldichlorophosphine-borane

The Raman (3500-10 cm⁻¹) and infrared (3500-50 cm⁻¹) spectra of solid ethyldichlorophosphine-borane, CH₃CH₂P(BH₃)Cl₂ and its deuterated analog, CH₃CH₂P(BD₃)Cl₂ have been recorded. Additionally, the infrared spectra of the gases and the Raman spectra of the liquids have been recorded and qualitative depolarization ratios have been obtained. Based on the fact that several distinct Raman lines disappear on going from the liquid to the solid state, it is concluded that the molecule exists as a mixture of the gauche and trans conformers, with the trans conformer being more stable in the liquid phase, and the only one present in the solid phase. From a temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid, the enthalpy difference between the gauche and trans conformers was determined to be nearly zero. Based on Raman depolarization data, group frequencies, isotopic shift factors and infrared band contours, a complete vibrational assignment has been proposed for the trans conformer. The assignment is supported by a normal coordinate calculation which was carried out utilizing a modified valence force field to obtain the frequencies of the normal modes and the potential energy distribution. The BH₃ torsion has been observed at 188 cm⁻¹, while the BD₃ torsion was not observed. The methyl torsions in the spectra of the solids have been observed at 209 and 202 cm⁻¹ for the “light” and deuterated species, respectively. From the torsional data, barriers to internal rotation have been calculated. The asymmetric torsional mode has been observed for the trans conformer in the infrared spectra of the gas phase at 108 and 104 cm⁻¹ for the BH₃ and BD₃ species, respectively. These results are compared with similar quantities for some corresponding organophosphine—borane compounds.     

Infrared and Raman spectra,conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,ab initio calculations and vibrational assignment of ethyl methyl selenide

The Raman spectra (3200–10 cm⁻¹) of ethyl methyl selenide in the gas, liquid and solid phases and the infrared spectra (3200–30 cm⁻¹) of the gas and solid have been recorded. Qualitative depolarization ratios have been obtained for the lines in the Raman spectrum of the liquid. By a variable temperature Raman study of the liquid, it has been determined that the gauche conformer is more stable than the trans rotamer by 158±16 cm⁻¹ (452±46 cal mol⁻¹), and the gauche conformer is the rotamer present in the solid. A complete vibrational assignment for the gauche conformer is presented. All of these data are compared to the corresponding quantities obtained from ab initio Hartree—Fock gradient calculations employing the STO-3G* and 4–31G*/MIDI-4* basis sets. Complete equilibrium geometries have been calculated for both rotamers and the results are discussed and compared with the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Conformational analysis,barriers to internal rotation,ab initio calculations and vibrational assignment of fluoroacetone

The infrared (3500-20 cm⁻¹) and Raman (3200-10 cm⁻¹) spectra have been recorded for gaseous and solid fluoroacetone (1-fluoro-2-propanone), CH₂FC(O)CH₃. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. These data have been interpreted on the basis that the molecule exists predominantly in the cis (fluorine atom oriented cis to the methyl group) conformation in the vapor but for the liquid a second conformer having a trans orientation (fluorine atom oriented trans to the methyl group) is present. From a study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid at variable temperatures the trans conformation has been determined to be more stable than the cis form by 416 ± 54 cm⁻¹ (1.19 ± 0.15 kcal mol⁻¹) and is the only conformation present in the spectrum of the annealed solid. The asymmetric torsional fundamental for the more stable cis conformer has been observed in the far infrared spectrum of the gas at 69.6 cm⁻¹ with six accompanying hot band transitions proceeding to lower frequency. The corresponding mode for the high energy trans conformer is extensively overlapped but is distinguishable at ∼65 cm⁻¹. From these data the asymmetric torsional potential function governing internal rotation about the CC bond has been determined and the potential coefficients are: V₁ = 675 ± 2, V₂ = 991 ± 5, V₃ = 74 ± 1 and V₄ = 54 ± 2 cm⁻¹. The cis to trans and trans to cis barriers are 1332 ± 5 and 731 ± 5 cm⁻¹, respectively, with an enthalpy difference of 601 ± 8 cm⁻¹ (1.72 ± 0.02 kcal mol⁻¹). From ab initio calculations at the 3-21G and 6-31G* basis set levels optimized geometries for both the cis and trans conformers have been obtained and the potential surface governing internal rotation of the asymmetric top determined. The observed vibrational frequencies with their assignments for both the cis and trans conformers are compared to those from the ab initio calculations. All of these results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,structural parameters,ab initio calculations,and vibrational assignment of cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde

The asymmetric torsional potential function, conformational energy difference, vibrational frequencies, and structural parameters of Cyclopropane-carboxaldehyde have been obtained from ab initio calculations at the 3–21G and/or 6-31G^* baiss set levels. These results have allowed for a reinterpretation or clarification of some of the corresponding results obtained from experiment. The conformations that have the oxygen atom oriented cis and trans to the three-membered ring are observed and calculated to be the most stable and high energy forms in the gaseous phase, respectively. From the ab initio calculations using the 6–31 G^* basis set, the energy difference between the two conformers is 114 cm^–1. For the liquid, the trans conformer is more stable and is the only rotamer present in the annealed solid. Based on a combination of results obtained from ab initio calculations, microwave spectroscopy, and the electron diffraction technique,r _o structural parameters have been obtained for both conformations.     

Raman and infrared spectra,conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,r 0 structural parameters,ab initio calculations,and vibrational assignment for vinyl chloroformate

The Raman (3200 to 10 cm^–1) and infrared (3500 to 50 cm^–1) spectra of vinyl chloroformate, H₂C=CHOC(O)Cl, have been recorded for both the gas and solid. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded, and depolarization ratios have been obtained. These data have been interpreted on the basis that the only stable conformation present at ambient temperature is thetrans-trans rotamer, where the firsttrans refers to the vinyl moiety relative to the O—CCl bond and the second to the C—Cl bond relative to the=C—O bond. Using harmonic rigid asymmetric top calculations, the infrared vapor phase contours for the C=O and the C=C stretch were predicted for thetrans-trans and for thecis-trans conformer, and were compared with experiment. For both fundamentals thetrans-trans hybrid reproduces the experimental contour, whereas thecis-trans contours fail to do so for both fundamentals. From far-infrared spectrum of the vapor obtained at 0.1 cm^–1 resolution, the C(O)Cl andO-vinyl torsional fundamentals have been observed at 132 and 61 cm^–1, respectively. Ther ₀ structural parameters have been obtained from a combination of ab initio calculated parameters with appropriate offset values and the fit of the microwave rotational constants for the two naturally occurring chlorine isotopes. The structure, barrier to internal rotation, and vibrational frequencies have been determined from ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations, using the 3-21G^* and 6-31G^* basis sets. These results are compared to those obtained experimentally and to similar quantities for some related molecules.     

Far-infrared spectra and barriers to internal rotation of ethyl nitrate

The far-infrared spectra of gaseous and solid ethyl nitrate, CH₃CH₂ONO₂, have been recorded from 500 to 50 cm⁻¹. The fundamental asymmetric torsion of the trans conformer which has a heavy atom plane has been observed at 112.50 cm⁻¹ with two excited states failing to lower frequencies, and the corresponding fundamental torsion of the gauche conformer was observed at 109.62 cm⁻¹ with two excited states also falling to lower frequencies. The results of a variable temperature Raman study indicate that the trans conformer is more stable than the gauche conformer by 328 ± 96 cm⁻¹ (938 ± 275 cal mol⁻¹). An asymmetric potential function governing the internal rotation about the CH₂O bond is reported which gives a trans to gauche barrier of 894 ± 15 cm⁻¹ (2.56 ± 0.04 kcal mol⁻¹) and a gauche to gauche barrier of 3063 ± 68 cm⁻¹ (8.76 ± 0.20 kcal mol⁻¹) with the trans conformer more stable by 220 ± 148 cm⁻¹ (0.63 ± 0.42 kcal mol⁻¹). Transitions arising from the symmetric CH₃ and NO₂ torsions are observed for both conformers, from which the threefold and twofold periodic barriers to internal rotation have been calculated. For the trans conformer the values are 1002 cm⁻¹ (2.87 kcal mol⁻¹) and 2355 ± 145 cm⁻¹ (6.73 ± 0.42 kcal mol⁻¹) and for the gauche conformer they are 981 cm⁻¹ (2.81 kcal mol⁻¹) and 2736 ± 632 cm⁻¹ (7.82 ± 1.81 kcal mol⁻¹) for the CH₃ and NO₂ rotors, respectively. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Far-Infrared Spectra, Conformational Stability, Barriers to Internal Rotation, Ab Initio Calculations, r0 Structural Parameters, and Vibrational Assignment of Ethyl Methyl Ether

The far-infrared spectra (350–35 cm^–1) of gaseous ethyl methyl ether-d ₀ and ethyl methyl-d ₃-ether have been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. For the d ₀ species, the fundamental asymmetric torsion of the more stable trans conformer (two methyl moieties are trans to one another) has been observed at 115.40 cm^–1 with four upper state transitions falling to lower frequency, whereas, for the gauche form, it has been observed at 93.56 cm^–1 with two excited states falling to lower frequency. the corresponding series for the d ₃ species start from 106.00 and 87.10 cm^–1, respectively. From these data, the asymmetric torsional potential coefficients for the d ₀ species have been determined to be: V ₁ = 572 ± 30; V ₂ = 85 ± 8; V ₃ = 619 ± 30; V ₄ = 175 ± 18, and V ₆ = –28 ± 3 cm^–1. The trans to gauche and gauche to gauche barriers were calculated to be 958 cm^–1 (11.5 kJ/mol) and 631 cm^–1 (7.55 kJ/mol), respectively, with an energy difference of 550 ± 6 cm^–1 (6.58 ± 0.07 kJ/mol). Utilizing three conformer pairs, variable temperature studies (–105 to –150°C) of the infrared spectra of the d ₀ sample dissolved in liquid krypton gave an enthalpy difference of 547 ± 28 cm^–1 (6.54 ± 0.33 kJ/mol) with the trans conformer the more stable rotamer. It is estimated that there is only 4% of the gauche conformer present at ambient temperatures. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation, and fundamental vibrational frequencies, which have been determined experimentally, are compared to those obtained from ab initio gradient predictions from RHF/6-31G* and with full electron correlation at the MP2 level with three different basis sets. The adjusted r ₀ structural parameters have been obtained for the trans conformer from combined ab initio MP2/6-311+G** predictions and previously reported microwave rotational constants. The reported distances should be accurate to 0.003 Å and the angles to 0.5°. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.     

Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignment, and ab initio calculations of 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile

The Raman (3500-30 cm⁻¹) spectra of liquid and solid and the infrared (3500-40 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile, CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂CN, have been recorded. Both cis and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the cis form remains in the solid. Variable temperature (−55 to −100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 163±16 cm⁻¹ (1.20±0.19 kJ mol⁻¹), with the cis conformer the more stable rotamer. It is estimated that there is 48±2% of the gauche conformer present at  25°C. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the cis conformer based on infrared band contours, relative intensities, depolarization ratios and group frequencies. Several of the fundamentals for the gauche conformer have also been identified. The vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing ab initio force constants. Complete equilibrium geometries have been obtained for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d), 6-311G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p) and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets at the levels of restricted Hartree-Fock (HF) and/or Møller-Plesset perturbation theory to the second order (MP2). Only with the 6-311G(2d,2p) and 6-311G(2df,2pd) basis sets with or without diffuse functions is the cis conformer predicted to be more stable than the gauche form. The potential energy terms for the conformational interchange have been obtained at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level, and compared to those obtained from the experimental data. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.     

Far-IR spectrum,conformation stability,barriers to internal rotation,vibrational assignment,and ab initio calculations of 3-chloro-2-methylpropene

The far-IR spectrum from 375 to 30 cm⁻¹ of gaseous 3-chloro-2-methylpropene, CH₂=C(CH₃)CH₂Cl, has been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm⁻¹. The fundamental asymmetric torsional mode for the gauche conformer is observed at 84.3 cm⁻¹ with three excited states falling to lower frequency. For the higher energy s-cis conformer, where the chlorine atom eclipses the double bond, the asymmetric torsion is observed at 81.3 cm⁻¹ with two excited states falling to lower frequency. Utilizing the s-cis and gauche torsional frequencies, the gauche dihedral angle and the enthalpy difference between conformers, the potential function governing the interconversion of the rotamers has been calculated. The determined potential function coefficients are (in reciprocal centimeters): V₁=189±12, V₂=−358±11, V₃=886±2 and V₄=−12±2 with an enthalpy difference between the more stable gauche and s-cis conformers of 150 ±25 cm⁻¹ (430 ± 71 cal mol⁻¹). This function gives values of 661 cm⁻¹ (1.89 kcal mol⁻¹), 1226 cm⁻¹ (3.51 kcal mol⁻¹) and 812 cm⁻¹ (2.32 kcal mol⁻¹), for the s-cis to gauche, gauche to gauche, and gauche to s-cis barriers, respectively. From the methyl torsional frequency of 170 cm⁻¹ for the gauche conformer, the threefold barrier of 678 cm⁻¹ (1.94 kcal mol⁻¹) has been calculated. The asymmetric potential function, conformational energy difference and optimized geometries of both conformers have also been obtained from ab initio calculations with both the 3–21G^* and 6–31G^* basis sets. A normal-coordinate analysis has also been performed with a force field determined from the 3–21G^* basis set. These data are compared with the corresponding data for some similar molecules.     

Far-infrared spectrum,conformational stability,barriers to internal rotation,normal coordinate calculations,and vibrational assignment for chloroacetaldehyde

The far infrared spectrum [350 to 25 cm^–1] of gaseous chloroacetaldehyde, ClCH₂CHO, has been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. The first excited-state transition of the asymmetric torsion of the more stable near s-cis [chlorine atom s-cis to the aldehyde hydrogen atom] conformer has been observed at 26.9 cm^–1, with seven additional upper state transitions falling to higher frequency. Additionally, the fundamental torsional transition of the s-trans conformer has been observed at 58.9 cm^–1 with two excited states also falling to higher frequency. From these data, the asymmetric torsional potential coefficients have been determined to be:V ₁=414±11;V ₂ = 191±3;V ₃=–203±5;V ₄=44±1 andV ₆=–26±1 cm^–1. The s-cis to s-trans barrier is 500±5 cm^–1 (1.43±0.01 kcal mol^–1) with the s-cis conformer being more stable by 267±19 cm^–1 (0.76±0.05 kcal mol^–1) than the s-trans form. The Raman [4000 to 100 cm^–1] and infrared (4000 to 400 cm^–1] spectra of the gas have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values obtained. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both conformers based on band contours, depolarization values, and group frequencies. The assignments are supported by ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations employing the 3–21G^* basis set to obtain the frequencies and the potential energy distributions for the normal vibrations for both rotamers. Additional ab initio calculations at the MP4/6-31G^* level have been carried out to determine the structural parameters for both conformers. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.This contribution taken in part from the thesis of C. L. Tolley which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree.