Vibrational analysis of ethylamines: Trans and gauche forms

Starting from force constant values calculated by an ab initio MO method ($\text{4-31G(N}{}^1\text{)}$), and by adjusting the diagonal elements, a practical force constant matrix (F) has been reached which could explain the observed infrared and Raman spectra (in the frequency range lower than 2000 cm^?1) of the gauche form of the ethylamine CH₃CH₂NH₂ molecule and five isotopic species CH₃¹³CH₂NH₂, CH₃CH₂¹⁵NH₂, CH₃CD₂NH₂, CH₃CH₂ND₂, and CD₃CD₂NH₂. The F matrix for the trans form of ethylamine was constructed by transferring ab initio $\text{4-31G(N}{}^1\text{)}$ values and by revising diagonal elements with conversion factors whose values are equal to the corresponding values of gauche form. A nearly complete set of assignments was achieved of the vibrational bands of ethylamines, observed so far in the spectral range 2000–100 cm^?1. In matrix isolation spectroscopy, two bands assignable to the NH₂ wagging vibrations of gauche and trans forms have been found at 775 and 782 cm^?1, respectively, for CH₃CH₂NH₂. They are at 768 and 774 cm^?1, respectively, for CD₃CD₂NH₂. From the intensity changes of these bands observed on changing the nozzle temperature in the matrix formation, the energy difference ΔE (gauche-trans) of these two conformers has been estimated to be 100 ± 10 cm^?1.