The role of internal H-bonding in the conformational preferences of some molecules of the formula CH3CHYCH2X

The conformational energies of 1-amino-2-propanol, 2-amino-1-propanol and 1,2-diaminopropane are studied using ab initio molecular orbital theory employing minimal (STO-3G) and extended (4-31G) basis sets. Calculations at both levels of theory generally favor conformations stabilized by internal H-bonding for all molecules considered. Results are first presented for conformations employing assumed geometries. Since the conformational energy differences as found by the initial set of calculations are in some cases rather small it then becomes necessary to introduce geometry optimizations into the study at the minimal STO-3G level. In addition, to get a better estimate of the energy differences of the various conformations 4-31G calculations are performed on the STO-3G optimized structures. These latter results indicate the following, (a) For 1-amino-2-propanol only one conformation that is stabilized by intramolecular H-bonding is low in energy; this has the methyl and amino groups anti. The other H-bonded conformer, where the methyl and amino groups are gauche, is predicted to be ca. 1.2 kcal mol^?1 less stable. Similar findings for this molecule have recently been provided by micro-wave spectroscopy. (b) For 2-amino-1-propanol the two H-bonded conformers are only separated by about 0.5 kcal mol^?1, with the anti conformer being more stable. Micro-wave spectroscopy again supports these calculations. (c) For 1,2-diaminopropane the gauche conformer is predicted to be of rather high energy (ca. 2.5 kcal mol^?1) compared to the corresponding anti H-bonded conformer. The value of 2.5 kcal mol^?1should be taken as an upper limit, since the geometry optimization of the gauche conformer of 1,2-diaminopropane is incomplete compared to the optimization carried out for the anti conformer.     

Vibrational Spectra, Assignment, Conformational Stability and Ab Initio/DFT Calculations for 1-Nitropropane

The infrared spectra (4000–400 cm^{– 1}) of solid and the Raman spectra (3500–30 cm^{– 1}) of liquid and solid 1-nitropropane, CH₃CH₂CH₂NO₂, have been registered. Both the trans and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phase, while the trans form remains in the stable solid. Temperature dependence (190–230K) of the liquid 1-nitropropane Raman spectra has been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference was determined to be 870 ± 105 J-mol^–1, with the gauche conformer being the more stable rotamer. Ab initio and DFT calculations at different levels of approximation (HF, MP2, B3LYP, B3PW91) gave optimized geometries, harmonic force fields, and vibrational frequencies for the trans and gauche conformers. All the calculations (except the B3PW91/6-31G* level) predicted gauche as the low-energy conformer. Theoretical force constants are analyzed for formulating constraints in the molecular force field model of 1-nitropropane.     

Quantum chemical study of the coordination of glycolic acid conformers and their conjugate bases to [Ca(OH2)n] (n=0–4) ions

A detailed exploration of the configurational and conformational space of glycolic acid and their conjugate bases has been carried out with the aid of first principles quantum chemical techniques at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory. The most stable configuration among the eight possible glycolic acid conformers corresponds to the E-s-cis, s-trans configuration, while the highest energy E-s-trans, s-cis conformer was found at 10.88 and 12.17 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory, respectively. Upon dissociation of glycolic acid the s-cis(syn), and s-trans(anti) configurations of the glycolate anion can be formed. The anti conformer was found to be less stable than the syn one by 14.20 and 16.87 kcal mol⁻¹ at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p)) levels of theory, respectively. The computed B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) proton affinity of the syn conformer for the protonation process affording the more stable E-s-cis, s-trans conformer, in vacuum was found to be 325.35 kcal mol⁻¹ (ΔG⁰ value). From a methodological point of view, our results confirm the reliability of the integrated computational tool formed by the B3LYP density functional model. This model has subsequently been used to investigate the interaction of Ca²⁺ ions with the glycolic acid conformers and their conjugate bases in vacuum and in the presence of extra water ligands. For the complexes of glycolic acid conformers the η²–O,O–(COOH) coordination, that is the structure that arises from the coordination of the Ca²⁺ to the carboxylic group, is the global minimum of the PES, while the η²–O(OH),O–(COOH) coordination is a local minimum found at only 1.0 and 1.3 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory, respectively. Moreover, the two isomers exhibit nearly the same binding affinities, which are predicted to be 89 and 85 kcal mol⁻¹ at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory, respectively. The same holds also true for the complexes of the glycolate anion. The η²–O,O–(COO⁻) coordination involving the syn conformer of the glycolato ligand, is the global minimum, while the η²–O(OH),O–(COO⁻) one lies at 1.5 and 5.6 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d,p) levels of theory, respectively. The other conformer with an η²–O,O–(COO⁻) coordination involving the anti conformer of the glycolato ligand, is less stable by only 0.2 kcal mol⁻¹ at both levels of theory. Noteworthy is the trend seen for the incremental binding energy due to the successive addition of water molecules to [HOCH₂C(O)O]Ca²⁺ species; the computed values are 30.4, 26.8, 22.9 and 16.2 kcal mol⁻¹ at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory for the mono-, di-, tri- and tetraaqua complexes, respectively. This trend arising from the repulsion of the dipoles between the water ligands and from unfavorable many body interactions is in accordance with those anticipated from electrostatic considerations. The Ca(II)-water interaction weakens with increasing coordination of the metal. Obviously, it is the electrostatic nature of the Ca(II)-water interactions that accounts well for the computed coordination geometries of the cationic (aqua)(glycolato)calcium complexes. Calculated structures, relative stability and bonding properties of the conformers and their complexes with [Ca(OH₂)_n]²⁺ (n=0–4) ions are discussed with respect to computed electronic and spectroscopic properties, such as charge density distribution, harmonic vibrational frequencies and NMR chemical shifts.     

Spectra and Structure of Silicon-Containing Compounds. XXV. Raman and Infrared Spectra,r 0 Structural Parameters,Vibrational Assignment,and Ab Initio Calculations of Ethyl Chlorosilane-Si-d2

The infrared (3200 to 400 cm^–1) spectra of gaseous and solid and Raman (3200 to 20 cm^–1) spectra of liquid and solid ethyl chlorosilane-Si-d₂, CH₃CH₂SiD₂Cl, have been recorded. Both the gauche and trans conformers have been identified in the fluid phases, but only the gauche conformer remains in the solid phase. Variable temperature (–105 to –150°C) studies of the infrared spectra of CH₃CH₂SiH₂Cl dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 78±11 cm^–1 (0.93±0.13 kJ/mol), with the gauche conformer the more stable form. Utilizing the frequencies of the silicon-hydrogen stretches, from the chlorosilane-Si-d isotopomer, Si—H bond distances of 1.481 and 1.480 Å have been obtained for the gauche conformer and 1.481 Å for the trans conformer. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both isotopomers which are consistent with the predicted frequencies utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Both the infrared intensities and the Raman activities and depolarization values have been obtained from the ab initio calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31(d), 6-311++G(d,p), and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets with full electron correlation by the Moller–Plesset (MP) perturbation method to second order. Continuing the previously reported rotational constants from five different isotopomers and the ab initio predicted structural parameters, adjusted r ₀ parameters have been calculated, which are compared to the corresponding r _s parameters. The results are discussed and the theoretical values are compared to the experimental values when appropriate.Taken in part from the dissertation of Y. E. Nashed, which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree     

Conformational Studies of Methyl Vinyl Silane from Temperature-Dependent FT–IR Spectra of Xenon and Krypton Solutions

Variable-temperature (–55 to –155°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm^–1) of methyl vinyl silane, CH₂CHSiH₂CH₃, dissolved in liquid xenon and krypton have been recorded. Utilizing three sets of conformer doublets due to the cis and gauche rotamers, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 133 ± 11 cm^–1 (1.59 ± 0.13 kJ/mol) with the gauche conformer the more stable form in the krypton solution. In the xenon solution, the enthalpy difference could not be determined because the infrared bands become so broad and the overlap was so extensive that meaningful areas could not be determined. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p) from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. With the largest basis set, the cis conformer is predicted to be the more stable conformer, which is inconsistent with the experimental results. Utilizing previously reported microwave rotational constants for both conformers along with the ab initio predicted distances and angles, r ₀ parameters have been obtained for both the cis and gauche conformers. The spectroscopic and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Conformational Stability, Raman and Infrared Spectra, Vibrational Assignment, and Ab Initio Calculations of Allyltrifluorosilane

The Raman spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of allyltrifluorosilane, CH₂CHCH₂SiF₃, in the liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid states, and the infrared spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of the gas and solid have been recorded. Additionally, the mid-infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (–100° to –55°C) have been recorded. All of these data indicate there are two conformers, the more stable gauche rotamer and a very small amount of the cis conformer in the fluid states, but only the gauche form remains in the polycrystalline solid. The variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of the xenon solution indicate a relatively large enthalpy difference of 354±30 cm^–1 (4.23±0.36 kJ/mol) between the conformers. The fundamental frequencies for the asymmetric (54 cm^–1) and SiF₃ (48 cm^–1) torsions for the gauche conformer were observed in the far infrared spectrum, and from the SiF₃ torsional frequency the barrier to internal rotation is calculated to have a value of 525 cm^–1 (6.28 kJ/mol). A complete vibrational assignment is presented for the gauche conformer that is consistent with the predicted wavenumbers utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G* calculations. The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational wavenumbers have been obtained from RHF/6-31G* and/or MP2/6-31G* ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with corresponding results for some similar molecules.Taken in part from the dissertation of Y. E. Nashed, which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree     

2′‐Deoxy‐5‐propynyluridine: a nucleoside with two conformations in the asymmetric unit

The title compound, 1‐(2‐deoxy‐β‐d ‐erythro‐pentofuranosyl)‐5‐(prop‐1‐ynyl)pyrimidin‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione, C₁₂H₁₄N₂O₅, shows two conformations in the crystalline state: conformer 1 adopts a C2′‐endo (close to ²E; S‐type) sugar pucker and an anti nucleobase orientation [χ = −134.04 (19)°], while conformer 2 shows an S sugar pucker (twisted C2′‐endo–C3′‐exo), which is accompanied by a different anti base orientation [χ = −162.79 (17)°]. Both molecules show a +sc (gauche, gauche) conformation at the exocyclic C4′—C5′ bond and a coplanar orientation of the propynyl group with respect to the pyrimidine ring. The extended structure is a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network involving intermolecular N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Only O atoms function as H‐atom acceptor sites.     

Molecular Structure and Conformational Preferences of Trimethyl Phosphorotrithioite,P(SMe)<Subscript>3</Subscript>, Evaluated by Gas-Phase Electron Diffraction and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Free P(SMe)₃ molecule was studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and by B3PW91/6-311+G* (DFT) and MP2/6-31+G* calculations. Each conformer is characterized by three dihedral angles τ(CSPlp), where lp denotes the direction of the lone electron lone pair on the P atom. DFT calculations indicate that the most stable conformer is an anti,gauche+,gauche- (ag+g-) conformer of C _s symmetry; the next are the ag+g+ (ΔE = 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹), g+g+g+ (ΔE = 5.2 kJ mol⁻¹), and aa+g+ (Δ E = 12.5 kJ mol⁻¹) conformers. The MP2 calculations give the similar order, with the relative energies of 0.3, 4.3, and 10.6 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The experimental GED data agree well with the presence of only two conformers: χ(ag+g+) = 80(20)% and χ(ag+g-) = 20(10)%.__________Translated from Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, Vol. 75, No. 5, 2005, pp. 742–750.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Belyakov, Khramov, Baskakova, Naumov.     

Conformational Stability of Propenoyl Bromide from Temperature-Dependent Infrared Spectra of Krypton Solutions,Ab Initio Calculations,and r 0 Structural Parameters of the Propenoyl Halides (F,Cl, Br)

Variable temperature (–100 to –150°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm^–1) of propenoyl bromide, CH₂=CHCBrO, dissolved in liquid krypton, have been carried out. Utilizing six different conformer pairs, an enthalpy difference of 204 ± 20 cm^–1 (2.44 ± 0.24 kJ/mol) was obtained, with the anti conformer (carbonyl bond trans to C=C bond) the more stable form. At ambient temperature, there is approximately 28 ± 2% of the syn conformer present. The anti conformer also remains in the infrared and Raman spectra of the polycrystalline solid. The optimal geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies, are reported for both conformers from MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. The potential function governing the conformational interchange has been obtained from the MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. The conformational stabilities were calculated from a variety of basis sets and at the highest level of calculations, MP2/6-311 + (2df,2pd), the anti conformer is predicted to be more stable by 178 cm^–1, which is in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The r ₀ adjusted structural parameters have been obtained for propenoyl fluoride and chloride from a combination of the previously reported microwave rotational constants and ab initio predicted parameters. Several of the parameters for the chloride are significantly different than those proposed from an electron diffraction investigation. The results of these spectroscopic, structural, and theoretical studies are discussed and compared to the corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

Far-Infrared Spectra, Conformational Stability, Barriers to Internal Rotation, Ab Initio Calculations, r0 Structural Parameters, and Vibrational Assignment of Ethyl Methyl Ether

The far-infrared spectra (350–35 cm^–1) of gaseous ethyl methyl ether-d ₀ and ethyl methyl-d ₃-ether have been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. For the d ₀ species, the fundamental asymmetric torsion of the more stable trans conformer (two methyl moieties are trans to one another) has been observed at 115.40 cm^–1 with four upper state transitions falling to lower frequency, whereas, for the gauche form, it has been observed at 93.56 cm^–1 with two excited states falling to lower frequency. the corresponding series for the d ₃ species start from 106.00 and 87.10 cm^–1, respectively. From these data, the asymmetric torsional potential coefficients for the d ₀ species have been determined to be: V ₁ = 572 ± 30; V ₂ = 85 ± 8; V ₃ = 619 ± 30; V ₄ = 175 ± 18, and V ₆ = –28 ± 3 cm^–1. The trans to gauche and gauche to gauche barriers were calculated to be 958 cm^–1 (11.5 kJ/mol) and 631 cm^–1 (7.55 kJ/mol), respectively, with an energy difference of 550 ± 6 cm^–1 (6.58 ± 0.07 kJ/mol). Utilizing three conformer pairs, variable temperature studies (–105 to –150°C) of the infrared spectra of the d ₀ sample dissolved in liquid krypton gave an enthalpy difference of 547 ± 28 cm^–1 (6.54 ± 0.33 kJ/mol) with the trans conformer the more stable rotamer. It is estimated that there is only 4% of the gauche conformer present at ambient temperatures. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation, and fundamental vibrational frequencies, which have been determined experimentally, are compared to those obtained from ab initio gradient predictions from RHF/6-31G* and with full electron correlation at the MP2 level with three different basis sets. The adjusted r ₀ structural parameters have been obtained for the trans conformer from combined ab initio MP2/6-311+G** predictions and previously reported microwave rotational constants. The reported distances should be accurate to 0.003 Å and the angles to 0.5°. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.     

Conformational and Structural Studies of 1-Fluoropropane from Temperature Dependant FT-IR Spectra of Rare Gas Solutions and Ab Initio Calculations

Variable temperature (–55 to –150°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500 to 400 cm^–1) of 1-fluoropropane, CH₃CH₂CH₂F, dissolved in liquid krypton and xenon have been recorded. Utilizing three conformer pairs in the krypton solution and four conformer pairs in the xenon solution, enthalpy differences of 104±6 cm^–1 (1.24±0.07 kJ/mol) and 99±5 cm^–1 (1.16±0.06 kJ/mol) were obtained from the krypton and xenon solutions, respectively, with the gauche form the more stable conformer. From these data it is estimated that 24% of the trans forms is present at ambient temperature. The conformational stabilities, harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman activities have been obtained from RHF/6-31G(d) and/or MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations and these quantities have been compared to the experimental values when appropriate. The optimized geometries have also been obtained with several different ab initio basis sets up to MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p). The r₀ structural parameters have been obtained by combining the ab initio data with the previously reported rotational constants for both conformers. The results are compared to the corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

Equilibrium conformation of dimethylaminodichlorophosphine molecule: the use of the results of quantum-chemical calculations and spectroscopic measurements in the analysis of gas-phase electron diffraction data

Geometric parameters and force fields of two stable isomers of dimethylaminodichlorophosphine molecule, a gauche-conformer with C₁ symmetry (A) and anti-conformer with C _s symmetry (D), resulting from internal rotation about the P—N bond, were calculated in the RHF/6-31G* approximation. Using the scaled quantum-chemical force field for the most stable conformer A, the first reliable interpretation of the vibrational spectra of the light and perdeuterated isotopomers of dimethylaminodichlorophosphine was obtained. The root-mean-square vibrational amplitudes, harmonic and anharmonic vibrational corrections, and centrifugal distortion corrections were also calculated. Structural analysis of electron diffraction data was performed with consideration of nonlinear kinematic effects at the first-order level of perturbation theory. The experimental values of the equilibrium geometric parameters were estimated. The results obtained suggest a nonplanar equilibrium configuration of the amino group in the dimethylaminodichlorophosphine molecule.     

Ion-molecule reactions of primary radical cations in the liquid-phase radiolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-alkanes: An EPR study

Radiation-chemical yields the liquid-phase radiolysis of C₅–C₁₂ n-alkanes were measured using the spin trap technique. The yields of n-alkyl radicals depended only slightly on the chain length in C₅–C₉ alkanes and amounted up to 30% of the total yield of trapped radicals; they were inhibited by the addition of charge scavengers. An analysis of the experimental results together with data on radicals in irradiated crystalline alkanes and radical cations in freon matrices showed that n-alkyl radicals results from the ion-molecule reactions of primary radical cations, whereas the protonated ions RH₂⁺ as products of these reactions are a source of sec-alkyl radicals. At least 60% of primary radical cations are consumed via these reaction pathways. A part of sec-alkyl radicals is due to gauche-conformers. The relative amount of primary alkyl radicals formed in the degradation of excited states and the subsequent charge neutralization processes should be insignificant.Translated from Khimiya Vysokikh Energii, Vol. 39, No. 1, 2005, pp. 5–14.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Belevskii, Belopushkin.     

Conformational Stability,Structural Parameters,Vibrational Frequencies,and Raman and Infrared Intensities of Allylsilane

The Raman spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of allylsilane, CH₂CHCH₂SiH₃, in the liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid states and the infrared spectra (3500 to 30 cm^–1) of the gas and solid have been recorded. Similar data have also been recorded for the Si-d₃ isotopomer. Additionally, the mid-infrared spectra of the normal sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (–100 to –50°C) have been recorded. All these data indicate there is a single conformer, the gauche rotamer, in all three physical states. Utilizing the Si-H stretching frequencies from the infrared spectrum of the gaseous CH₂CHCH₂SiD₂H isotopomer, the three Si-H bond distances (r ₀) are calculated to be 1.484 Å for the gauche conformer. The other r ₀ parameters are estimated from the previously reported rotational constants. The fundamental frequencies for the asymmetric (78 cm^–1) and SiH₃ (137 cm^–1) torsions were obtained from sum and difference bands with the SiH₃ stretches. From the SiH₃ torsional frequency the barrier to internal rotation is calculated to have a value of 731 cm^–1 (8.74 kJ/mol). The optimized geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies have been obtained from RHF/6-31G* and/or MP2/6-31G* ab initio calculations. These quantities are compared to the corresponding experimental quantities when appropriate as well as with some corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

Potential for rotation about C(sp2)-O and C(sp2)-S bonds: electron diffraction results for CH2CH-OCH3 and CH2

Electron diffraction of gaseous methyl vinyl ether and methyl vinyl sulphide show that both compounds exist as a mixture of two conformers, one of these is the syn form with a planar heavy atom skeleton. For methyl vinyl ether the second conformer may also have a planar skeleton (anti form), but a gauche form with a torsional angle close to 180° cannot be ruled out. For the sulphide a gauche form is found. Structural parameters are given in Table 2. Ab initio calculations gave energy minima for syn and anti forms for CH₂CH-OH and for syn and gauche forms for CH₂CH-SH.     

Conformational Analysis of 1,2‐Di‐O‐Octanoyl‐Ethylene‐Glycerol During Aggregation

Conformational analysis of 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol during aggregation by 600 MHz ¹H NMR is described. In monomeric states, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol exists in 75% anti‐conformer and 25% gauche‐conformer. The first critical micelle concentration of 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol is calculated to be 4.5 mM. In micellar states, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol exists in 25% anti‐conformer and 75%) gauche‐conformer. When the concentration is greater than 10 mM, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoyl‐ethylene‐glycerol probably aggregates to become the larger micelle, micelle II. In the second micellar state, 1,2‐di‐O‐octanoylethylene‐glycerol only exists in gauche‐conformer.     

Conformational preferences of RCH2CH2CN (R = CH3, F, Cl) cyanides and their corresponding isocyanides

The structure and relative stability of the different conformers of RCH₂CH₂CN (R = CH₃, F, Cl) cyanides and their corresponding isocyanides have been investigated through the use of high-level ab initio G4 theory as well as B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ and M06/aug-cc-pVQZ density functional theory calculations. This theoretical survey ratifies that the gauche conformer of butyronitrile is slightly more stable than the anti one, so that in the gas phase and at room temperature this compound should exist as a mixture of 57 % of the former and 43 % of the latter. Similar stability trends are predicted for the corresponding isocyanide isomer. Conversely, when the terminal methyl group of butyronitrile (or its isocyanide isomer) is replaced by F or Cl, the stability trends are reversed and the anti conformer becomes slightly more stable than the gauche one. These changes in relative stabilities could be traced through an analysis of the reduced density gradient which shows the existence of a stabilizing interaction between the terminal methyl group and the cyano (or isocyano) group in butyronitrile (or its isocyanide isomer), which becomes repulsive when this methyl group is replaced by F or Cl.     

Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignment, and ab initio calculations of 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile

The Raman (3500-30 cm⁻¹) spectra of liquid and solid and the infrared (3500-40 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile, CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂CN, have been recorded. Both cis and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the cis form remains in the solid. Variable temperature (−55 to −100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 163±16 cm⁻¹ (1.20±0.19 kJ mol⁻¹), with the cis conformer the more stable rotamer. It is estimated that there is 48±2% of the gauche conformer present at  25°C. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the cis conformer based on infrared band contours, relative intensities, depolarization ratios and group frequencies. Several of the fundamentals for the gauche conformer have also been identified. The vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing ab initio force constants. Complete equilibrium geometries have been obtained for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d), 6-311G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p) and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets at the levels of restricted Hartree-Fock (HF) and/or Møller-Plesset perturbation theory to the second order (MP2). Only with the 6-311G(2d,2p) and 6-311G(2df,2pd) basis sets with or without diffuse functions is the cis conformer predicted to be more stable than the gauche form. The potential energy terms for the conformational interchange have been obtained at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level, and compared to those obtained from the experimental data. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.