Spectra and structure of organophosphorus compounds: XVII. Infrared and Raman spectra. vibrational assignment and barriers to internal rotation for t-butylphosphine

The infrared spectra of gaseous and solid tertiary-butylphosphine, (CH₃)₃CPH₂], have been recorded from 50 cm^?1 to 3500 cm^?1. The Raman spectra of gaseous, liquid and solid (CH₃)₃CPH₂ have been recorded from 10 to 3500 cm^?1. A vibrational assignment of the 42 normal modes has been made. A harmonic approximation of the methyl torsional barrier from observed transitions in the solid state gave a result of 4.22 kcal mol^?1 and 3.81 kcal mol^?1 in the gaseous state. Hot band transitions for the phosphino torsional mode have been observed. The potential function for internal rotation about the C-P bond has been calculated. The two potential constants were determined to be: V₃ = 2.79 ± 0.01 kcal mol^?1 and V₆ = 0.07 ± 0.01 kcal mol^?1.