The vapor phase Raman spectra,Raman band contour analyses,Coriolis constants,force constants,and values for thermodynamic functions of the trihalides of group V

The vapor phase Raman spectra have been recorded of the molecules PX₃ (X = F, Cl, or Br), AsX₃ (X = F, Cl, Br, or I), and SbX₃ (X = Cl, Br, or I) in sealed tubes at 22–365°C as appropriate. Attempts to record the vapor phase Raman spectra of the molecules PI₃, SbF₃, and BiX₃ (X = F, Cl, Br, or I) were unsuccessful. The infrared and Raman rotational branch separations of the a₁ species fundamentals for these molecules are in agreement with the theoretically calculated values. The Raman band contours of the e-species fundamentals have been analyzed to yield, in favorable cases, values for the corresponding Coriolis constants which have been compared with those obtained from infrared band contour analyses, and which have been employed to constrain the e-species force constants. It is concluded that the Raman contour method for defining Coriolis and thus force constants should be regarded as further, but not necessarily the best, experimental method with which to help to constrain the field. Values for various thermodynamic functions of the molecules have been calculated from the new values for the fundamental frequencies and from the most recent structural data.