Scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field and theoretical vibrational spectrum for benzonitrile

The complete harmonic force field of benzonitrile has been determined by ab initio Hartree—Fock calculations using a 4–21 Gaussian basis set. As force constants are systematically over-estimated at this level, the directly calculated force field was scaled by empirical factors previously optimized for benzene and HCN. Frequencies calculated from this scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field confirm the published experimental assignments for benzonitrile, benzonitrile-p-d and benzonitrile-d₅. Aside from the CH (and CD) stretching frequencies, which are strongly affected by anharmonicity, the mean deviation between the observed and calculated frequencies is below 9 cm⁻¹ for each isotopomer. Theoretical i.r. intensities reproduce the main features of the spectra semiquantitatively.     

Theoretical prediction of vibrational spectra. The a priori scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field and vibrational spectra of pyrimidine

The complete harmonic force field of pyrimidine has been computed at the ab initio Hartree—Fock level using a 4–21 Gaussian basis set. In order to compensate the systematic overestimations of the force constants at the aforementioned level of quantum mechanical approximation, the theoretical force constants were empirically scaled by using nine scale factors. (The values of all these scale factors were previously determined by fitting the theoretical force field of benzene to the observed vibrational spectra of benzene.) The resulting a priori scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field is regarded as the most accurate and physically the most correct harmonic force field for pyrimidine. This force field was then used to predict the vibrational spectra of pyrimidine-h₄ and pyrimidine-d₄. On the basis of these a priori vibrational spectra uncertain assignments have been confidently resolved. After a few reassignments, the mean deviations between the experimental and calculated frequencies are below 9 and 18 cm⁻¹ for the non-CH stretching in-plane and the out-of-plane vibrations, respectively. Computed IR intensities are generally in agreement with experiments at a qualitative level.     

Building a database of force constants based on scaled ab initio (SQM) results. I. Chlorobenzenes

As part of a project for developing a database of harmonic force constants for organic molecules, the complete force fields for chlorobenzene, ortho-, meta-, para-dichlorobenzene and sym-trichlorobenzene have been determined, on the basis of ab initio Hartree—Fock calculations combined with empirical adjustments. The latter serve to correct for systematic errors in the theory, and are applied at two stages: the geometry is corrected by using empirical offset forces during the optimization; force constants are corrected by a few scale factors according to the SQM (scaled quantum mechanical) force field procedure. With scale factors taken over fixed from benzene and only two new scale factors introduced for the chlorobenzenes, experimental frequencies are reproduced with mean deviations of about 10 cm⁻¹. Some controversial assignments, still present in the deuterated derivatives, are discussed. Theoretical IR and Raman intensities have also been calcuated and used as semiquantitative information to assist assignments.     

Spectra and structure of silicon compounds. XVII Raman and infrared spectra and vibrational assignment for hexamethyldisilane and ab initio calculations for disilane and hexamethyldisilane

The IR spectra of gaseous and solid hexamethyldisilane between 4000 and 25 cm⁻¹ and the far-IR spectrum of the liquids from 450 to 25 cm⁻¹ have been recorded. The Raman spectra have been recorded from 3500 to 10 cm⁻¹ for all three physical phases. Assisted by ab initio calculations, the vibrational spectrum of hexamethyldisilane has been assigned under D_3d symmetry and the results of a normal coordinate analysis are discussed. No spectral features indicative of free internal rotation have been observed. Gradient ab initio calculations have been carried out for the disilane and hexamethyldisilane molecules using different types of basis sets. The structural parameters, rotational constants, unscaled and scaled frequencies and harmonic force constants have been reported for both disilane and hexamethyldisilane.     

Vibrational spectra,scaled quantum-mechanical (SQM) force field and assignments for 4H-pyran-4-one

The gas phase i.r. spectrum of 4H-pyran-4-one (hereafter called γ-pyrone) has been recorded in the 4000-400 cm⁻¹ region by a Nicolet 7199 FTIR spectrometer and interpreted using a general valence force field calculated quantum mechanically at the ab initio level with a split-valence 4–21 basis. Assignment of certain fundamentals was facilitated by information gained from the i.r. and Raman spectra of the melt and from the i.r. spectrum of the saturated solution in CCl₄.To account for systematic computational errors, the theoretical ab initio force field was scaled using a set of constants derived by the empirical fitting of force fields computed for related molecules to their observed spectra. Either the scale factors derived for a family of open-chain molecules or, better, for benzene could be used to yield a scaled force field which gave unequivocal assignments for γ-pyrone. The method promises to be of general applicability for molecules of this complexity.     

Vibrational analysis of 2-nitrophenol. A joint FT-IR,FT-Raman and scaled quantum mechanical study

FT-IR (gas, solution, solid) and FT-Raman (solution, solid) spectra of 2-nitrophenol have been recorded in the range of 4000–30 cm⁻¹. The spectra were interpreted with the aid of normal coordinate analysis based on a scaled Becke3–Lee–Yang–Parr/6-31G^* density functional force field utilising a set of scale factors introduced recently by Rauhut and Pulay (G. Rauhut, P. Pulay, J. Phys. Chem. 99 (1995) 3093). These scale factors, developed on a small training set of organic molecules containing no hydrogen bonding moieties, were found to be well transferable to 2-nitrophenol including the strong intramolecular (O)H⋯O(N) hydrogen bonding moiety as well. The scaled force field reproduced the experimental frequencies of the molecule by a weighted mean deviation of 10.5 cm⁻¹. Based on the calculated results, 38 fundamentals from a total of 39 were identified and assigned, revising the assignments of earlier experimental studies for several fundamentals.     

FT-Raman and infrared spectra,r0 structural parameters,ab initio calculations and vibrational assignment for nitryl chloride

The FT-Raman spectra (2000-30 cm⁻¹) of liquid and solid nitryl chloride, ClNO₂, along with the infrared spectra (2000-80 cm⁻¹) of the gas and solid have been recorded. All six fundamentals are confidently identified and the potential energy distributions determined from the force fields obtained from ab initio calculations. Several different basis sets have been utilized to determine the harmonic frequencies and force constants which are compared to the previously reported valence force constants. Structural parameters have been calculated with these basis sets including electron correlation with MP2, MP3 and MP4 perturbation. The calculated equilibrium structural parameters are compared to the experimental r₀ structural parameters. The spectra of the solid indicate that there are at least two molecules per primitive cell. All of these results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

The computed force constants and vibrational spectra of toluene

The complete harmonic force field and dipole moment derivatives have been computed for toluene at the Hartree-Fock level using a 4-21G basis set. The six scale factors optimized for benzene were used to scale the computed harmonic force constants of toluene. The vibrational frequencies of toluene computed from this scaled quantum mechanical force field are quite good. After a correction was made to two previously proposed spectral assignments, the mean deviation from the experimental frequencies is only 7.8 cm^?1 except for the frequencies related to the methyl group. Five more scale factors for the vibrational modes of the methyl group were reoptimized. The final comparison showed an overall mean deviation of 7.5 cm^?1 between the theoretical spectrum and the experimental spectrum. Computed intensities are qualitatively in agreement with experiments. They are highly useful in the investigation of questionable assignments.     

Studies on nitramide and its methyl derivatives with ab initio calculations. IV. The harmonic force field and vibrational spectra of dimethylnitramine and its isotopic derivatives

The complete harmonic vibrational force field of dimethylnitramine has been calculated at the Hartree-Fock level using 4–21G basis set. The harmonic force field was then scaled with scale factors previously derived from N-methylnitramine, and the vibrational spectrum of dimethylnitramine was computed. This a priori prediction, made with no reference to observations on dimethylnitramine, agrees with the experimental IR spectrum in gas phase with a mean deviation of 8.4 cm^?1. Some of the scale factors were reoptimized by fitting of the computed force field to experimental data. The new set of scale factors reduced the mean deviation to 4.5 cm^?1, and was used to predict the vibrational spectrum of deuterated form of dimethylnitramine(-6D). Dipole moment derivatives were also calculated and used to predict infrared intensities which are comparable with experimental values.     

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.     

Theoretical study on the structures,force field,and vibrational spectra of cyclooctatetraene and cyclooctatetraene-d8

The structures and force field of 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (COT) have been studied using ab initio theory at the SCF level with the 4-21G basis set. The quadratic force field of the D_2d structure obtained by systematic scaling of the ab initio force constants successfully reproduces the observed frequencies of COT and COT-d₈ with a mean deviation of less than 10 cm⁻¹ for non-CH stretching modes. On the basis of the calculated results, assignments of the fundamental vibrations are examined. The normal mode υ₅ is reassigned to a weak band at 758 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectrum of COT and to a weak band at 591 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectrum of COT-d₈. The calculations favor the assignment of υ₂₆ given by Lippincott et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 73, 3370 (1951)] over the revised assignment of Perec [Spectrochim. Acta 47A, 799 (1991)]. The calculations also furnish reliable prediction for the inactive A₂ fundamentals of COT and COT-d₈. The fundamental frequencies and IR and Raman intensities of ¹³CC₇H₈, which constitutes about 9% of COT in natural abundance, are also calculated. Only ν₁₀ (calculated at 908 cm⁻¹) of the formal inactive A₂ modes has appreciable Raman intensity (0.23 Å⁴/amu). A spectral feature due to this fundametal is identified in the liquid Raman spectrum of Tabacik and Blaise [C. R. Acad. Sci. Ser. II 303, 539 (1986)] as a weak peak at 908 cm⁻¹.     

Normal coordinate analysis of trans-stilbene and tolane

The vibrational frequencies and modes of trans-stilbene and tolane have been calculated using a simplified overlay valence force field previously developed for a series of smaller conjugated molecules. The force constants have been directly transferred assuming that the large molecules can be regarded as weakly coupled systems. Several unexpected changes in frequencies and modes on isotopic substitution are discussed, the most interesting ones occurring in the Raman spectrum of α,α′-¹³C substituted trans-stilbene. On the basis of the calculations many revisions in the assignments have been made. The rms frequency deviations are 8.0 cm⁻¹ and 6.9 cm⁻¹ for trans-stilbene and tolane, respectively.     

Theoretical studies of force fields and IR spectra of isocytosine

The optimized geometries, complete harmonic force fields, and infrared intensities of isocytosine tautomers, amino‐hydroxy and amino‐oxoN(1)H, were calculated at the ab initio Hartree–Fock level using the 6‐31G* basis set. The theoretical force fields were scaled by empirical scale factors, which were determined by fitting to the IR spectrum of the amino‐oxo form and were then transferred to the amino‐hydroxy form. The average deviations between experimental and computed frequencies are 7.6 cm⁻¹ for amino‐oxo and 9.5 cm⁻¹ for amino‐hydroxy, respectively. The assignments of the fundamental frequencies and the transferability of the force constant scale factors are also presented. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 53–60, 1999     

Structure,vibrational assignment,normal coordinate analysis,and ab initio calculations of methylisocyanate

The infrared (3200-30 cm⁻¹) and Raman (3200-10 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid methylisocyanate, CH3NCO, have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been obtained and qualitative depolarization ratios have been measured. The CNC bend has been observed in the far infrared and low frequency Raman spectra of the gas at approximately 172 cm⁻¹. An additional far infrared band at ≈50 cm⁻¹ has tentatively been assigned as the methyl torsional mode, although it could be due to the Δν = 1, Δl = ± 1 transitions of the CNC bending mode. A complete assignment of the vibrational fundamentals is proposed. The structural parameters, force constants, and vibrational frequencies have been determined from ab initio Hartree—Fock gradient calculations using the 6-31G* basis set. Additionally, structural parameters have been obtained with the 6-311 + + G** basis set with electron correlation at the MP2 level which are compared to those obtained from the microwave data and electron diffraction study. These results are compared with the corresponding quantities obtained for similar molecules.     

Infrared and Raman spectra of terephthalonitrile and terephthalonitrile-15N2. Force field for out-of-plane vibrations

A general assignment of the vibrational spectra of terephthalonitrile and terephthalonitrile-¹⁵N₂ is proposed on the basis of their infrared and Raman spectra. The relevant symmetry is found to be D_2h. The force field for the out-of-plane vibrations of these molecules was calculated by refining the general quadratic force field obtained by the semi-empirical MINDO/3 method, starting with a geometry optimized by this method. The refined force field reproduces the observed frequencies of the out-of-plane vibrations to better than ±0.5 cm⁻¹.     

An in-plane force field for some benzene derivatives having unsaturated substituents

A simplified in-plane overlay valence force field has been developed for some benzene derivatives that have unsaturated substituents. The molecules used in the optimization of the force constants are benzene, styrene, benzaldehyde, ethynylbenzene and m- and p-diethynylbenzene. The force field comprises 57 force constants, out of which 33 have been transferred from our other overlay calculations and 24 are optimized on about 600 experimental frequencies, giving an rms frequency deviation of 10.5 cm⁻¹ which includes the CH stretching vibrations. Some revisions in the assignments have been made. For comparison a fully independent overlay force field has been optimized for some methyl substituted benzenes using the same approximations in the force field. The transferability of force constants and limitations of the transferability are discussed.     

The Raman and IR spectra and normal coordinate analysis of 3-(N-phenylacetylamino)-2,6-piperidinedione,Antineoplaston A10, the new antitumour drug

The Raman and IR spectra of 3-(N-phenylacetylamino)-2,6-piperidinedione, Antineoplaston A10, the new antitumour drug and its N,N-dideuterated derivative have been recorded in the range 4000-30 cm⁻¹. Vibrational assignments are given and are supported by normal coordinate calculations based on a general valence force field. The interaction force constants were transferred intact from the scaled ab initio force fields of structurally related molecules. The calculated frequencies are in very good agreement with the experiment. A striking similarity is noted for frequencies of the corresponding vibrations in Antineoplaston A10 and in uracil derivatives. The results obtained support previous theoretical predictions that the mechanism of action of A10 may be related to its structural and electronic resemblance with pyrimidine bases. The drug may act as their antagonist in the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding formation with biological molecules.     

Theoretical prediction of vibrational spectra: the harmonic force field and the vibrational spectrum of 4-methylpyridine

The geometry, complete harmonic force field and dipole moment derivatives have been computed for 4-methylpyridine at the Hartree-Fock level using a 4-21 basis set of Gaussian orbitals. A set of eleven scale factors, six of which were previously derived from benzene and the other five for the vibrational motions of the methyl group from toluene by fitting their computed force fields to their observed vibrational spectra, was used to scale the computed harmonic force constants of 4-methylpyridine. The vibrational frequencies and the associated infrared absorption intensities of 4-methyl -pyridine were then predicted from this scaled force field without any fitting to the experimental data of 4-methylpyridine. Comparison with experimental spectra permitted a few corrections to be made in previous experimental or semiempirical assignments. The mean-deviations between experimental and predicted frequencies was only 5.6 cm^-1 for the non-CH stretching frequencies or 8.3 cm^-1 overall. Computed intensities are qualitatively m agreement with experiment. The optimization of scale factors for the five methyl vibrational motions produced a trivial improvement in the fit.     

A vibrational molecular force field of model compounds with biological interest—III. Harmonic dynamics of α- and β-d-galactose in the crystalline state

The infrared spectra of α- and β-d-galactose were recorded, both in the mid-IR range (4000-500 cm⁻¹) and in the far-IR (500-50 cm⁻¹). The Raman spectra were also obtained. These spectra constitute the basis of a crystalline-state force field established for these two molecules through a normal coordinate analysis. A modified Urey—Bradley—Shimanouchi force field was combined with an intermolecular potential energy function which includes van der Waals interactions, electrostatic terms and an explicit hydrogen bond function. The force constants were varied, so as to obtain an agreement between the observed vibrational frequencies and the calculated ones of α-d-galactose. The force field obtained was then applied to α-d-galactose O-d5 and β-d-galactose, in order to test its transferability. The computed potential energy distribution was found to be compatible with previous assignments for d-glucose, particularly for the modes involving C6 and COH groups. For β-d-galactose the same force field was used with changing the force constants due to the C1 and C6 groups.     

The structure and spectra of 1,1-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-cyclopropane: a priori calculated force field and vibrational effects

The molecular structure of 1,1-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)cyclopropane has been studied by the gas electron diffraction method, by vibrational spectroscopic methods and by ab initio calculations at the RHF and MP2 levels. A scaled quantum-chemical force field was used for band assignment in the experimental IR (4000-100 cm⁻¹) and Raman (4000-200 cm⁻¹) spectra. The root-mean-square vibrational amplitudes and harmonic shrinkage corrections were calculated taking into account non-linear relations between Cartesian and internal vibrational coordinates at the level of first-order perturbation theory (h1) and with the use of the traditional scheme (h0).