Vibrational studies of polar aprotic molecule in aromatic chemical and isotropic solvents: experimental and quantum chemical investigations

Raman spectroscopic technique has been used to study the intermolecular interactions and dynamics of SO, C―H and CSC stretching modes of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in binary mixtures using methyl benzene (MBN) and deuterated methyl benzene (MBNd) aromatic solvents. The Raman band of SO stretching mode has been deconvoluted into four distinct bands for neat DMSO as well as in binary mixtures. Deconvoluted bands in neat DMSO were assigned as monomer, cyclic out‐of‐phase, cyclic in‐phase and chain dimers having peak wavenumbers 1069.10, 1056.60, 1041.50 and 1027.30 cm⁻¹ respectively. Peak wavenumber of SO stretching mode shows red shift, while peak wavenumbers of C―H and CSC stretching modes show blue shift with the increase in solvent concentration. The vibrational relaxation phenomena for all the stretching modes have been studied as a function of solvent concentration. Quantum‐chemical calculations have been carried out to gain more insight into the self‐association of DMSO and in interacting environment with the solvents using ab initio and density functional theory method. The ab initio basis set is HF/6‐31 + G (d, p) for the interacting system. The hydrogen bond complexes of DMSO with MBN and MBNd using IEF‐PCM model have been calculated using B3LYP functional and 6‐31 + G(d,p) basis sets. Theoretical calculations have been compared with the experimental findings and we obtained good coherence of the results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman,and computational calculations of 4‐chloro‐2‐(3‐chlorophenyl carbamoyl)phenyl acetate

FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐chloro‐2‐(3‐chlorophenylcarbamoyl) phenyl acetate were studied. Vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes and the normal modes are assigned by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Simultaneous IR and Raman activation of the CO stretching mode shows the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with the reported values. Analysis of the phenyl ring modes shows that C C stretching mode is equally active as strong bands in both IR and Raman, which can be interpreted as the evidence of intramolecular charge transfer via conjugated ring path and is responsible for hyperpolarizability enhancement leading to nonlinear optical activity. The red‐shift of the NH‐stretching wavenumber in the infrared spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighboring oxygen atom. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman and DFT calculations of the salicylanilide derivate 4‐chloro‐2‐(4‐bromophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl acetate

FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐chloro‐2‐(4‐bromophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl acetate were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. The red shift of the NH stretching wavenumber in the infrared (IR) spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighbouring oxygen atom. The simultaneous IR and Raman activations of the CO stretching mode give the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with similar reported structures. From the optimized structure, it is clear that the hydrogen bonding decreases the double bond character of CO bond and increases the double bond character of the C N bonds. The first hyperpolarizability, predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar derivatives and is an attractive object for future studies of non‐linear optics. The assignments of the normal modes are done by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermolecular interactions,ion solvation,and association in mixtures of 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and γ‐butyrolactone: insights from Raman spectroscopy

By means of Raman spectroscopy coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and perturbation correlation moving window two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy intermolecular interactions were assessed in mixtures of ionic liquid (IL) 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF₆) with polar aprotic solvent γ‐butyrolactone (γ‐BL) over the entire range of compositions. The symmetrical P―F stretching vibration of the IL anion was found to be insensitive to the changes in mixture concentration in contrast to the CO stretching vibration of the γ‐BL and the imidazolium ring C―H stretching vibrations of the IL cation. Each of these vibrational profiles was decomposed in various spectral contributions, and their number was rationalized by the results of quantum‐chemical calculations and/or previous controversial published data. Progressive redshift of the ring C―H stretching wavenumbers was referred to pronounced solvation of the cation at the imidazolium ring site accompanied with H‐bond formation. This was especially pronounced at IL mole fraction less than 0.18. Complicated variations in the intensities of the individual contributions of the CO profile were treated as a manifestation of the changing with concentration pattern of the intermolecular interactions. The self‐association of γ‐BL molecules and distinct cation solvation as dominant intermolecular interactions at low IL content are replaced with weaker cation solvation and ion association at high concentrations of IL. Possible representative molecular structures were proposed on the basis of DFT calculations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal → nematic phase transition in the liquid crystalline system 1‐isothiocyanato‐4‐(trans‐4‐propylcyclohexyl) benzene (3CHBT) probed by temperature‐dependent micro‐Raman study and DFT calculations

Raman spectra of 3CHBT in unoriented form were recorded at 14 different temperature measurements in the range 25–55 °C, which covers the crystal → nematic (N) phase transition, and the Raman signatures of the phase transition were identified. The wavenumber shifts and linewidth changes of Raman marker bands with varying temperature were determined. The assignments of important vibrational modes of 3CHBT were also made using the experimentally observed Raman and infrared spectra, calculated wavenumbers, and potential energy distribution. The DFT calculations using the B3LYP method employing 6‐31G functional were performed for geometry optimization and vibrational spectra of monomer and dimer of 3CHBT. The analysis of the vibrational bands, especially the variation of their peak position as a function of temperature in two different spectral regions, 1150–1275 cm⁻¹ and 1950–2300 cm⁻¹, is discussed in detail. Both the linewidth and peak position of the ( C H ) in‐plane bending and ν(NCS) modes, which give Raman signatures of the crystal → N phase transition, are discussed in detail. The molecular dynamics of this transition has also been discussed. We propose the co‐existence of two types of dimers, one in parallel and the other in antiparallel arrangement, while going to the nematic phase. The structure of the nematic phase in bulk has also been proposed in terms of these dimers. The red shift of the ν(NCS) band and blue shift of almost all other ring modes show increased intermolecular interaction between the aromatic rings and decreased intermolecular interaction between two  NCS groups in the nematic phase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectral studies on charge transfer and ionic hydrogen‐bonding interactions of nonlinear optical material L‐arginine nitrate hemihydrate

The near infrared Fourier‐transform (NIR FT)‐Raman and Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopies supported by HF/6‐31G(d) computations have been employed to derive equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers and the first hyperpolarizability of the nonlinear optical (NLO) material, L ‐arginine nitrate (LAN) hemihydrate. The reasonable NLO efficiency, predicted for the first time in this novel compound, has been confirmed by Kurtz–Perry powder second harmonic generation (SHG) experiments. The changes in the atomic charge distribution among different groups due to the presence of strong electronegative atoms and the shrinking of N O bonds of nitrate anion and C N bonds of guanidyl group have been analyzed. The splitting of the carboxylate stretching modes, blue shifting of methine vibrations and the electronic effects such as backdonation and induction on the methylene hydrogen atoms have also been examined in detail. The intense low wavenumber H‐bond Raman vibrations due to electron–phonon coupling and nonbonded interactions in making the LAN molecule NLO active have been discussed based on the vibrational spectral features. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and HF computations confirm the occurrence of strong intra‐ and intermolecular N H·O and O H·O ionic hydrogen bonding between charged species providing the noncentrosymmetric structure in the LAN crystal. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral bottinoite Ni[Sb2(OH)12]·6H2O and in comparison with brandholzite Mg[Sb5+2(OH)12]·6H2O

Raman spectroscopy was used to study the mineral bottinoite and a comparison with the Raman spectra of brandholzite was made. An intense sharp Raman band at 618 cm⁻¹ is attributed to the SbO symmetric stretching mode. The low intensity band at 735 cm⁻¹ is ascribed to the SbO antisymmetric stretching vibration. Low intensity Raman bands were found at 501, 516 and 578 cm⁻¹. Four Raman bands observed at 1045, 1080, 1111 and 1163 cm⁻¹ are assigned to δ SbOH deformation modes. A complex pattern resulting from the overlapping band of the water and hydroxyl units is observed. Raman bands are observed at 3223, 3228, 3368, 3291, 3458 and 3510 cm⁻¹. The first two Raman bands are assigned to water stretching vibrations. The two higher wavenumber Raman bands observed at 3466 and 3552 cm⁻¹ and two infrared bands at 3434 and 3565 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. Observed Raman and infrared bands are connected with O H···O hydrogen bonds and their lengths 2.72, 2.79, 2.86, 2.88 and 3.0 Å (Raman) and 2.73, 2.83 and 3.07 Å (infrared). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of sodium alginate and its block fractions by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of sodium alginates and their hetero‐ and homopolymeric fractions obtained from four seaweeds of the Chilean coast was studied. Alginic acid is a copolymer of β‐D ‐mannuronic acid (M) and α‐L guluronic acid (G), linked 1 → 4, forming two homopolymeric fractions (MM and GG) and a heteropolymeric fraction (MG). The SERS spectra were registered on silver colloid with the 632.8 nm line of a He Ne laser. The SERS spectra of sodium alginate and the polyguluronate fraction present various carboxylate bands which are probably due to the coexistence of different molecular conformations. SERS allows to differentiate the hetero‐ and homopolymeric fractions of alginic acid by characteristic bands. In the fingerprint region, all the poly‐D ‐mannuronate samples present a band around 946 cm⁻¹ assigned to C O stretching, and C C H and C O H deformation vibrations, a band at 863 cm⁻¹ assigned to deformation vibration of β‐C₁ H group, and one at 799–788 cm⁻¹ due to the contributions of various vibration modes. Poly‐L ‐guluronate spectra show three characteristic bands, at 928–913 cm⁻¹ assigned to symmetric stretching vibration of C O C group, at 890–889 cm⁻¹ due to C C H, skeletal C C, and C O vibrations, and at 797 cm⁻¹ assigned to α C₁ H deformation vibration. The heteropolymeric fractions present two characteristic bands in the region with the more important one being an intense band at 730 cm⁻¹ due to ring breathing vibration mode. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NIR‐FT Raman and FT‐IR spectral investigations of the nonlinear optical chromophore p‐bromoacetanilide

Vibrational spectral analysis of the hydrogen‐bonded nonlinear optical (NLO) material p‐bromo acetanilide (PBA) was carried out using NIR‐FT‐Raman and FT‐IR spectroscopy. Ab initio molecular orbital computations were performed at HF/6‐31G (d) level to derive equilibrium geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, intensities and first hyperpolarizability. The lowering of the imino stretching wavenumbers suggests the existence of strong intermolecular N H···O hydrogen bonding, which was substantiated by the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The vibrational spectra confirm that the charge‐transfer interaction between the  NHCOCH₃ group and—Br through phenyl ring is responsible for simultaneous strong IR and Raman activation of the ring mode 8a. Vibrational analysis indicates that the lowering of stretching wavenumbers of methyl group due to electronic effects simultaneously caused by induction and hyperconjugation is due to the presence of the oxygen atom. The presence of blue‐shifting H‐bonds of CH stretching wavenumbers, simultaneous activation of carbonyl stretching mode, the strong activity of low‐wavenumber H‐bond stretching vibrations and the role of intramolecular charge transfer in making the molecule NLO active have been analyzed on the basis of the vibrational spectral features. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectra of crystalline H2SeO3 in the O-H stretching region

IR transmission, near-normal IR reflection and polarized Raman spectra of single crystals of selenious acid (H₂SeO₃) have been obtained at temperatures between 77°K and 335°K. The observed bands in the O-H stretching region have been assigned to two types of O-H….O bonds in the crystal structure. The spectral results appear to rule out correlation field splittings, intramolecular coupling, or Fermi resonance as explanations for the observed splitting. A proposed model based on intermolecular coupling of O-H….O vibrations to explain the splitting of the O-H stretching region is given.     

变温过程中二甲基亚砜与水之间氢键行为的拉曼光谱研究

测量了在降温过程中体积比为1∶1的二甲基亚砜(DMSO)水溶液的拉曼光谱,并对DMSO水溶液的拉曼光谱进行了归属。对实验数据进行分析发现: 在降温过程中DMSO分子与水分子的分子间氢键、DMSO分子与DMSO分子和水分子与水分子间氢键的作用行为引起了DMSO的SO双键和水分子的O—H键的拉曼谱带的变化。进一步分析表明：在27～-30 ℃降温过程DMSO与水之间氢键加强,-30～-60 ℃降温过程水与水之间氢键代替DMSO与水之间的氢键。这为丰富水溶液的氢键理论提供了实验依据。     

Spectroscopic investigations and computational study of 2‐[acetyl(4‐bromophenyl)carbamoyl]‐4‐chlorophenyl acetate

The Fourier transform Raman (FT‐Raman) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of 2‐[acetyl(4‐bromophenyl)carbamoyl]‐4‐chlorophenyl acetate were studied. The vibrational wavenumbers were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes, and the normal modes were assigned by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. The simultaneous Raman and infrared (IR) activations of the CO stretching mode in the carbamoyl moiety show a charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. From the optimized structure, it is clear that the hydrogen bonding decreases the double bond character of the CO bond and increases the double bond character of the C N bonds. The first hyperpolarizability and predicted IR intensities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar structures, which makes this compound an attractive object for future studies of nonlinear optics. Optimized geometrical parameters of the compound are in agreement with similar reported structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Why the ΔνCH blue shift is larger in chloral than in dichloroacetyl chloride dimers?

Raman spectra of the Cl₃CCHO/CCl₄ and Cl₃CCHO/C₆D₁₂ binary systems were recorded as a function of the mole fraction. Features originating from self‐aggregates of chloral (trichloroethanal, trichloroacetaldehyde—TCAA) molecules were detected in different spectral regions. The most pronounced changes were observed in the vicinity of the ν(CO) and ν(C H) stretching vibration bands. Using two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D‐COS), evolving‐factor analysis (EFA) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR), dimer bands were identified, and their positions were determined. The ν(C H) stretching vibration band in dimers was blue‐shifted by nearly 18 cm⁻¹, whereas the ν(CO) dimer band was red‐shifted by more than 5 cm⁻¹. For these bands, the observed shifts were accompanied by an almost twofold change in the bandwidth, from approximately 19 and 6 cm⁻¹ for dilute solutions (x = 0.05) to 36.6 and 11.5 cm⁻¹, respectively, in pure TCAA. The formation of dimers was confirmed by multivariate analysis of the Raman spectra of chloral recorded as a function of temperature. Analogous analysis of dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC) spectra gave an 8.9 cm⁻¹ blue shift for the ν(C H) vibration band and − 5.5/− 10.1 cm⁻¹ shifts for the ν(CO) stretching vibrations of the two conformers present. To facilitate the interpretation of experimental findings, the optimized geometries and vibrational wavenumbers of the Cl₃CCHO/HCl₂CCClO molecules and (Cl₃CCHO)₂/(HCl₂CCClO)₂ dimers were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311 + + G(3df,3pd) level. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2-(4-异丁基苯基)丙酸的激光拉曼光谱

２┐（４┐异丁基苯基）丙酸的激光拉曼光谱鲍培谛黄天荃刘新民（四川联合大学成都６１００６４）ＲａｍａｎＳｐｅｃｔｒａｏｆ２┐（４┐ｉｓｏｂｕｔｙｌｐｈｅｎｙｌ）ｐｒｏｐｉｏｎｉｃａｃｉｄＢａｏＰｅｉｄｉ，ＨｕａｎｇＴｉａｎｑｕａｎ，ＬｉｕＸｉｎｍｉｎ（...     

Raman spectroscopic study of the antimonate mineral brandholzite Mg[Sb2(OH)12]·6H2O

Raman spectra of brandholzite Mg[Sb₂(OH)₁₂]·6H₂O were studied, complemented with infrared spectra, and related to the structure of the mineral. An intense Raman sharp band at 618 cm⁻¹ is attributed to the SbO symmetric stretching mode. The low‐intensity band at 730 cm⁻¹ is ascribed to the SbO antisymmetric stretching vibration. Low‐intensity Raman bands were found at 503, 526 and 578 cm⁻¹. Corresponding infrared bands were observed at 527, 600, 637, 693, 741 and 788 cm⁻¹. Four Raman bands observed at 1043, 1092, 1160 and 1189 cm⁻¹ and eight infrared bands at 963, 1027, 1055, 1075, 1108, 1128, 1156 and 1196 cm⁻¹ are assigned to δ SbOH deformation modes. A complex pattern resulting from the overlapping band of the water and hydroxyl units is observed. Raman bands are observed at 3240, 3383, 3466, 3483 and 3552 cm⁻¹; infrared bands at 3248, 3434 and 3565 cm⁻¹. The Raman bands at 3240 and 3383 cm⁻¹ and the infrared band at 3248 cm⁻¹ are assigned to water‐stretching vibrations. The two higher wavenumber Raman bands observed at 3466 and 3552 cm⁻¹ and two infrared bands at 3434 and 3565 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl units. Observed Raman and infrared bands in the OH stretching region are associated with O‐H···O hydrogen bonds and their lengths 2.72, 2.79, 2.86, 2.88 and 3.0 Å (Raman) and 2.73, 2.83 and 3.07 Å (infrared). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman Scattering of H2O/D2O Solutions

The stretching vibrations of water are perfect characteristics of the hydrogen bond. Studying their frequency shift, changes of intensities, broadening of the bands and appearence of submaxima we can receive very important structural information about the groups involved in H-bonding and about the bond itself. The observed Raman spectra, however, are rather complicated because the OH and OD stretching bands are always superpositions of several bands due to intra- and intermolecular coupling, effect of Fermi resonance etc. The     

Phonon spectrum of a naphthalene crystal at a high pressure: Influence of shortened distances on the lattice and intramolecular vibrations

The Raman spectra of a naphthalene crystal have been measured at room temperature in the pressure range up to 20 GPa. The pressure shift and Grüneisen parameters for intermolecular and intramolecular phonons have been determined. The maximum rate of the pressure shift for intermolecular phonons is 44 cm^?1/GPa, and the rate of the pressure shift for intramolecular phonons lies in the range from 1 to 11 cm^?1/GPa for different modes. The pressure dependence of the phonon frequencies for direct and inverse pressure variations has a hysteresis in the pressure range from 2.5 to 16.5 GPa. It has been shown that the linear dependence of the intermolecular phonon frequency on the crystal density has a peculiarity, which indicates a possible phase transition at a pressure of 3.5 GPa. The pressure dependence of intramolecular phonons related to the stretching vibrations of hydrogen atoms exhibits features that are characteristic of intermolecular phonons, which is associated with the influence of shortened distances between the hydrogen atoms of the neighboring molecules on the intermolecular interaction potential.     

Raman spectral investigations on the binary system (acetic acid N,N‐dimethyl formamide)

Raman spectra of acetic acid (AA), N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF) and their binary mixtures with varying mole fraction of the AA were recorded in the region 300–1750 cm⁻¹ to investigate the formation of self‐associated dimer and hydrogen‐bonded complexes in a mixed system. The observed spectral features of the CO stretching mode suggest the formation of self‐association with a smaller aggregation size, and also indicate the presence of repulsive interactions between AA and DMF. The existence of two kinds of AA molecules (free and complex) is elucidated from the splitting of the OC O deformation mode. The intermolecular hydrogen‐bond formation and the possibility of attractive interaction between AA and DMF are also examined from the observed spectral features in the CCO symmetric stretching mode of AA, and CN symmetric stretching mode of DMF. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of hydrogen‐arsenate group (AsO3OH) in solid‐state compounds: copper mineral phase geminite Cu(AsO3OH)·H2O from different geological environments

The participation of hydrogen‐arsenate group (AsO₃OH)²⁻ in solid‐state compounds may serve as a model example for explaining and clarifying the behaviour of As and other elements during weathering processes in natural environment. The mineral geminite, a hydrated hydrogen‐arsenate mineral of ideal formula Cu(AsO₃OH)·H₂O, has been studied by Raman and infrared spectroscopies. Two samples of geminite of different origin were investigated and the spectra proved quite similar. In the Raman spectra of geminite, six bands are observed at 741, 812, 836, 851, 859 and 885 cm⁻¹ (Salsigne, France), and 743, 813, 843, 853, 871 and 885 cm⁻¹ (Jáchymov, Czech Republic). The band at 851/853 cm⁻¹ is assigned to the ν₁ (AsO₃OH)²⁻ symmetric stretching mode; the other bands are assigned to the ν₃ (AsO₃OH)²⁻ split triply degenerate antisymmetric stretching mode. Raman bands at 309, 333, 345 and 364/310, 333 and 345 cm⁻¹ are attributed to the ν₂ (AsO₃OH)²⁻ bending mode, and a set of higher wavenumber bands (in the range 400–500 cm⁻¹) is assigned to the ν₄ (AsO₃OH)²⁻ split triply degenerate bending mode. A very complex set of overlapping bands is observed in both the Raman and infrared spectra. Raman bands are observed at 2289, 2433, 2737, 2855, 3235, 3377, 3449 and 3521/2288, 2438, 2814, 3152, 3314, 3448 and 3521 cm⁻¹. Two Raman bands at 2289 and 2433/2288 and 2438 cm⁻¹ are ascribed to the strong hydrogen bonded water molecules. The Raman bands at 3235, 3305 and 3377/3152 and 3314 cm⁻¹ may be assigned to the ν OH stretching vibrations of water molecules. Two bands at 3449 and 3521/3448 and 3521 cm⁻¹ are assigned to the OH stretching vibrations of the (AsO₃OH)²⁻ units. The lengths of the O H···O hydrogen bonds vary in the range 2.60–2.94 Å (Raman) and 2.61–3.07 Å (infrared). Two Raman and infrared bands in the region of the bending vibrations of the water molecules prove that structurally non‐equivalent water molecules are present in the crystal structure of geminite. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectroscopic studies of the structure of di‐amino acid peptides. Part II: cyclo(L‐Asp‐L‐Asp) in the solid state and in aqueous solution

Solid‐state protonated and N,O‐deuterated Fourier transform infrared (IR) and Raman scattering spectra together with the protonated and deuterated Raman spectra in aqueous solution of the cyclic di‐amino acid peptide cyclo(L ‐Asp‐L ‐Asp) are reported. Vibrational band assignments have been made on the basis of comparisons with previously cited literature values for diketopiperazine (DKP) derivatives and normal coordinate analyses for both the protonated and deuterated species based upon DFT calculations at the B3‐LYP/cc‐pVDZ level of the isolated molecule in the gas phase. The calculated minimum energy structure for cyclo(L ‐Asp‐L ‐Asp), assuming C₂ symmetry, predicts a boat conformation for the DKP ring with both the two L ‐aspartyl side chains being folded slightly above the ring. The CO stretching vibrations have been assigned for the side‐chain carboxylic acid group (e.g. at 1693 and 1670 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectrum) and the cis amide I bands (e.g. at 1660 cm⁻¹ in the Raman spectrum). The presence of two bands for the carboxylic acid CO stretching modes in the solid‐state Raman spectrum can be accounted for by factor group splitting of the two nonequivalent molecules in a crystallographic unit cell. The cis amide II band is observed at 1489 cm⁻¹ in the solid‐state Raman spectrum, which is in agreement with results for cyclic di‐amino acid peptide molecules examined previously in the solid state, where the DKP ring adopts a boat conformation. Additionally, it also appears that as the molecular mass of the substituent on the C^α atom is increased, the amide II band wavenumber decreases to below 1500 cm⁻¹; this may be a consequence of increased strain on the DKP ring. The cis amide II Raman band is characterized by its relatively small deuterium shift (29 cm⁻¹), which indicates that this band has a smaller N H bending contribution than the trans amide II vibrational band observed for linear peptides. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.