Some 1-substituted quaternary imidazolium compounds and related polymers: Qualitative and quantitative infrared analysis

It was found that 1-substituted quaternary imidazolium compounds show some characteristic infrared (IR) activity. On quarternization of 1-substituted imidazoles strong absorption bands appeared at about 1150 and 1550 cm^?1 in the IR spectra of these compounds. The band at 1150 cm^?1 was assigned to the position 2 C?H bending mode and the 1550 cm^?1 band was attributed to a ring vibration mode of the quaternary imidazolium compounds. The concentration of the quaternary imidazolium units in a polymer can be determined by measuring the intensity of the absorption bands at 1150 or 1550 cm^?1 in relation to another suitable absorption band of the spectrum.     

IR and Raman Vibrational Assignments for Metal-free Phthalocyanine from Density Functional B3LYP／6-31G（d） Method

Vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra for the metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) have been comparatively investigated through experimental and theoretical methods. The frequencies and intensities were calculated at density functional B3LYP level using the 6-3 IG(d) basis set. The calculated vibrational frequencies were scaled by the factor 0.9613 and compared with the experimental result. In the IR spectrum, the characteristic IR band at 1008.cm^-1 is interpreted as C-N (pyrrole) in-plane bending vibration, in contrast with the traditional assigned N-H in-plane or out-of-plane bending vibration. The band at 874 cm^-1 is attributed to the isoindole deformation and aza vibration. In the Raman spectrum, the bands at 540, 566, 1310, 1340, 1425, 1448 and 1618 cm^-1 are also re-interpreted. Assignments of vibrational bands in the IR and Raman spectra are given based on density functional calculations for the first time. The present work provides valuable information to the traditional empirical assignment and will be helpful for further investigation of the vibration spectra of phthalocyanine analogues and their metal complexes.     

Confirmation of the presence of imine bonds in thermally cured polyimides

Model compounds for imines formed during the thermal curing of short chain polyimides have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds have imine bonds (C?N) formed by the nucleophilic attack of primary amines on imide carbonyls. The C?N stretching mode appears at 1649–1664 cm^?1 in the Raman and infrared spectra of these compounds and the band assigned to the carbonyl mode in an imide ring with an imine bond appears near 1740 cm^?1. These compounds have been prepared and characterized to verify the conclusions of a previously reported study in which bands observed in thermally cured short chain polyimides at 1656 and 1742 cm^?1 were assigned as the C?N and associated C?O modes, respectively. It has also been confirmed that the C?N stretching mode in the imide model compounds is inherently IR weak and can only be seen if the concentration of imine species is high. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure of Alkali Lignins Fractionated from Ricinus communis and Bagasse. 3. IR Spectra

Abstract

The lignin fractions isolated by one- and multistage soda and sulfate cookings showed almost identical IR spectra, indicating the similarity of the lignin skeletal structure throughout the plant. However, the absorbances reveal some differences. Similarity of the spectra includes: 1) chelation and bonding of the hydroxyl groups. 2) Stretching vibration of C-H bonds in methyl, methoxyl, and methylene groups. 3) Stretching vibration of C≡N. 4) Carbonyl unconjugated β-ketone, conjugated acids, or esters at 1725 cm^?1. There is no change in the intensity of absorption at this band from that at 1515 cm^?1 with the cooking stage. 5) Aromatic skeletal vibration at 1610 and 1515 cm^?1, affected by ring substituents at 1425 cm^?1. 6) The band at 1465 cm^?1 showed a higher intensity for soda and soluble kraft lignins than for insoluble kraft ones. 7) The band at 1370 cm^?1, assigned to phenolic OH bending, is affected by the methoxyl group. 8) The absence of condensed guaiacyl and the presence of syringyl and uncondensed guaiacyl. Assignments for hardwood lignin are shown for soda and soluble kraft lignins of bagasse, while those for softwood lignin are shown for soda, soluble, and insoluble kraft lignins of Ricinus communis and for insoluble kraft lignin of bagasse. A relation exists between the carbohydrate's lignin and the band at 920 cm^?1. Lignins from Ricinus communis are of higher guaiacyl to syringyl ratios than those from bagasse. The presence of C—S vibration and the absence of thiol groups for kraft lignins are indicated.     

Mercury Cyanides and Isocyanides: NCHgCN and CNHgNC as well as NCHgHgCN and CNHgHgNC: Simple Molecules with Short,Strong Hg−Hg Bonds

Mercury atoms, laser‐ablated from an amalgam dental filling target, react with cyanogen in excess argon during condensation at 4 K to form two major products in the 2200 cyanide M?C?N stretching region of the IR spectrum, which were assigned to NCHgCN and NCHgHgCN from their antisymmetric C?N stretching mode absorptions at 2213.8 and 2180.1 cm^?1. Two broader bands in the isocyanide region at 2098.2 and 2089.6 cm^?1 were assigned to CNHgNC and CNHgHgNC. The N‐bonded isomers were computed to be 603/33 and 823/69 times more intense IR absorbers than the C‐bonded isomers at the CCSD level of theory. The dissociation energy for the NCHg?HgCN molecule into two HgCN molecules was calculated to be 296 kJ mol^?1 and that for CNHg?HgNC into two HgNC molecules is 304 kJ mol^?1. These simple molecules with two cyanide or two isocyanide ligands have two of the shortest and strongest known Hg?Hg single bonds as the two electronegative CN ligands withdraw antibonding electron density from the bonding region.     

Mercury Cyanides and Isocyanides: NCHgCN and CNHgNC as well as NCHgHgCN and CNHgHgNC: Simple Molecules with Short,Strong Hg−Hg Bonds

Mercury atoms, laser‐ablated from an amalgam dental filling target, react with cyanogen in excess argon during condensation at 4 K to form two major products in the 2200 cyanide M?C?N stretching region of the IR spectrum, which were assigned to NCHgCN and NCHgHgCN from their antisymmetric C?N stretching mode absorptions at 2213.8 and 2180.1 cm^?1. Two broader bands in the isocyanide region at 2098.2 and 2089.6 cm^?1 were assigned to CNHgNC and CNHgHgNC. The N‐bonded isomers were computed to be 603/33 and 823/69 times more intense IR absorbers than the C‐bonded isomers at the CCSD level of theory. The dissociation energy for the NCHg?HgCN molecule into two HgCN molecules was calculated to be 296 kJ mol^?1 and that for CNHg?HgNC into two HgNC molecules is 304 kJ mol^?1. These simple molecules with two cyanide or two isocyanide ligands have two of the shortest and strongest known Hg?Hg single bonds as the two electronegative CN ligands withdraw antibonding electron density from the bonding region.     

Rational Control of Conformational Distributions and Mixed‐Valence Characteristics in Diruthenium Complexes

The electronic characteristics of mixed‐valence complexes are often inferred from the shape of the inter‐valence charge transfer (IVCT) band, which usually falls in the near infrared (NIR) region, and relationships derived from Marcus‐Hush theory. These analyses typically assume one single, dominant molecular conformation. The NIR spectra of the prototypical delocalised (Class III Robin–Day mixed‐valence) complexes [{Ru(pp)Cp’}₂(μ‐C≡C?C≡C)]⁺ ([ 1 ]⁺: Cp’=Cp, pp=(PPh₃)₂; [ 2 ]⁺: Cp’=Cp, pp=dppe; [ 3 ]⁺: Cp’=Cp*, pp=dppe) feature a ‘two‐band’ pattern, which complicates band‐shape analysis using these traditional methods. In the past, the appearance of sub‐bands within or near the IVCT transition has been attributed to vibronic effects or localised d‐d transitions. Quantum‐chemical modelling of a series of rotational conformers of [ 1 ]⁺–[ 3 ]⁺ reveals the two components that contribute to the NIR absorption band envelope to be a π‐π* transition and an MLCT transition. The MLCT components only gain appreciable intensity when the orientation of the half‐sandwich ruthenium ligand spheres deviates from idealised cis (Ω P?Ru?Ru?P=0°) or trans (Ω P?Ru?Ru?P=180°) conformations. The increased steric demand of the supporting ligands, together with some underlying inter‐phosphine ligand T‐shaped CH???π stacking interactions across the series [ 1 ]⁺ to [ 2 ]⁺ to [ 3 ]⁺ results in local minima biased towards such non‐idealised conformations of the metal‐ligand fragments (Ω P?Ru?Ru?P=33–153°). Experimentally, this is indicated by appearance of multiple bands within the IR (C≡C) band envelopes and increasing intensity of the higher‐energy MLCT transition(s) relative to the π‐π* transition across the series, and the appearance of a pronounced ‘two‐band’ pattern in the experimental NIR absorption envelopes. These conformational effects and the methods of analysis presented here, which combine analysis of IR and NIR spectra with quantum‐chemical calculations on a range of energetically similar conformational minima, are expected to be quite general for mixed‐valence systems.     

Darstellung und spektroskopische Eigenschaften der gemischtvalenten Di(phthalocyaninato)lanthanide(III)

Synthesis and Spectroscopical Properties of the Mixed-Valent Di(phthalocyaninato)lanthanides(III) Green di(phthalocyaninato)lanthanide(III), [M(Pc)₂] (M = rare earth metal ion: La‥(-Ce, Pm)‥Lu) is prepared by anodic oxidation of (ⁿBu₄N)[M(Pc^2?)₂] dissolved in CH₂Cl₂/(ⁿBu₄N)ClO₄. The UV-Vis-NIR spectra show intense π-π* transitions at ? 15000 cm^?1 and 31000 cm^?1, typical for Pc^2? ligands. Bands at ? 11000 cm^?1 and 22000 cm^?1 indicate the equal presence of a Pc^? π-radical. The metal dependent NIR band between 4000 and 9000 cm^?1 is characteristic for these mixed-valent complexes and assigned to an intervalence transition (b₁ → a₂; D_4d symmetry). Most bands are shifted linearly with the M^III radius. In the IR and resonance Raman (r.r.) spectra the typical vibrations of the Pc^? π-radical are dominant. These are essentially metal independent excepting the C? C and C? N vibrations of the inner (CN)₈ ring. The sym. M? N stretching vibration between 141 (La) and 168 cm^?1 (Lu) is selectively r.r.-enhanced when excited with 1064 nm.     

Darstellung und spektroskopische Eigenschaften von Nitridophthalocyaninatorhenium(V)

Preparation and Spectroscopical Properties of Nitridophthalocyaninatorhenium(V) Nitridophthalocyaninatorhenium(V) ([ReNPc^2?]) is prepared by the reaction of dirheniumheptoxide with ammoniumiodide in molten 1,2-dicyano-benzene. The diamagnetic complex is chemically und thermically extremely stable. In the Uv-vis spectra the typical π-π*-transitions of the Pc^2? ligand are observed. Extra bands in the solid state spectrum are due to strong excitonic coupling of ca. 2.8 kK. In the resonance Raman spectra the intensity of the Re≡N stretching vibration (v(Re≡N)) at 969 cm^?1 is selectively enhanced by laser excitations above 19.0 kK. v(Re≡N) is a dominant m.i.r. absorption at 976 cm^?1.     

Identification of cis/trans isomers of methyl ester and oxazoline derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids using GC–FTIR–MS

Identification of cis/trans isomers of unsaturated fatty acids cannot usually be achieved by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) without reference substances. In this study a GC-FTIR-MS system (gas chromatography-Fourier transform-mass spectrometry) was used to identify fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and differentiate between the cis/trans isomers. Besides methyl esters, 2-alkenyl-4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives (DMOX), which have been used to locate double bond positions of unsaturated fatty acids, were examined with respect to their suitability for cis/trans differentiation. A combined GC-FTIR-MS system with a wide band (4000–550 cm^?1) mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector was used in series and parallel to identify 31 reference unsaturated fatty acids, including 7 pairs of cis/trans isomers. Serum samples of healthy persons and commercially available fish oil were analyzed as examples of complex mixtures. Using splitless injection the detection limit for the less sensitive IR detector was 25 ng/μl in case of the weak cis and trans bands. In the FTIR spectra cis/trans isomers were identified by analysis of bands arising from C? H out-of-plane (oop) bending: for both the FAME and DMOX derivatives cis-1,2-disubstituted double bonds give a strong band near 720 cm^?1 and the corresponding trans isomers near 967 cm^?1. cis Isomers could be identified further by a band at 3012 cm^?1. With the combined data of the GC-FTIR-MS system it is now possible to identify polyunsaturated fatty acids with regard to the discrimination of cis/trans isomers.     

Temperature‐dependent polymorphic crystalline structure and melting behavior of poly(butylene adipate) investigated by time‐resolved FTIR spectroscopy

The polymorphic crystalline structure and melting behavior of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) samples melt‐crystallized at different crystallization temperatures were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystalline structure and melting behavior of PBA were found to be greatly dependent on the crystallization temperature. By comparison of the FTIR spectra and the corresponding second derivatives between the α‐ and β‐crystal of PBA, the spectral differences were identified for the IR bands appeared at 1485, 1271, 1183, and 930 cm^?1 and the possible reasons were presented. Especially, the 930 cm^?1 band was found to be a characteristic band for the β‐crystal. Combining the DSC data with the analysis of normalized intensity changes of several main IR bands during the melting process, the melting behaviors of the α‐ and β‐crystal were clarified in detail. It is demonstrated by the in situ IR measurement that the β‐crystalline phase would transform into the α‐crystalline phase during the melting process, and the solid–solid phase transition from the β‐ to α‐crystal was well elucidated by comparing the intensity changes of the 1170 and 930 cm^?1 bands. The dependence of the β‐ to α‐crystal phase transition on the heating rate was revealed by monitoring the intensity ratio of the 909 and 930 cm^?1 band. It was suggested that at the heating rate of 0.5 or 1 °C/min, the percent amount of the transformed α‐crystal from the β‐crystal was much higher than that at the higher heating rate. The β‐crystal transforms into the α‐crystal incompletely at the higher heating rate because of the less time available for the phase transition. In addition, the β‐ to α‐crystal phase transition was further confirmed by the IR band shifts during the melting process. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1997–2007, 2009     

Vibrational spectra and noncovalent interactions of carbohydrates molecules

The differences between the vibrational spectra of carbohydrates of the same chemical structure caused by the noncovalent intra- and intermolecular interactions have been systematized. In the general case, these differences show up as the following specific features of changes in the bond intensities: change in the intensity ratio of closely spaced bands (IR and Raman spectra); selective change (increase, decrease) in intensities of individual bands (IR and Raman spectra); change (increase, decrease) in intensities of practically all bands (IR and Raman spectra); appearance of strong bands in the region of low frequencies from 50 to 200 cm⁻¹ (Raman spectra); appearance of strong diffuse bands in the low-frequency range with a simultaneous great reduction in the other bands (practical disappearance of the majority of bands) (Raman Spectra). The causes of such a kind of changes in the band intensities in the vibrational spectra of carbohydrates are discussed.     

IR and Mössbauer spectra of hexacyano complexes

IR and Mössbauer spectra of MK(Fe(CN)₆).4H₂O complexes where M=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb reveal the character of the outer rare earth cation coordination. The interaction of the post lanthanide elements with the nitrogen end of CN^? shifts significantly the bands in mid infrared region, provokes an increase in the integral intensity of the band near 450 cm^?1 and influences the isomer shift values.     

Synthesis,properties and solid state structure of 5‐diphenylphosphino‐2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐xylyl‐18‐crown‐5

5‐Diphenylphosphino‐2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐xylyl‐18‐crown‐5 has been synthesized from 5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxy‐18‐crown‐5 by reacting it in sequence at low temperature with n‐butyl lithium and methyl diphenylphosphonite. The phosphorous donor properties of this phenol phosphine (OH derivative) and the corresponding phenoxide (O^? derivative) have been studied in the presence and absence of alkali metal ions by determining the frequencies of the A₁ ν(CO) bands of Ni(CO)₃L complexes. For the OH and O^? derivatives, the latter generated by addition of CsOH to the former, the ν(CO) bands are observed at 2067.6 and 2063.4 cm^?1, respectively, providing the trend predicted by Hammett parameters for OH and O^? substituents. Addition of Na⁺ or K⁺ to the OH derivative has little effect on this stretching frequency, but the former ion shifts the O^? derivative band to 2067.7 cm^?1 A solid state structure has been obtained of the OH derivative, and two independent molecules were found in the unit cell. Both have a single water molecule hydrogen bonded to two across‐ring oxygen atoms and the phenol hydrogen. The crown ether ring has the usual gauche and anti arrangements for the C‐C and C? O bonds.     

Ab initio molecular dynamics study for C–Br dissociation within BrH<Subscript>2</Subscript>C–C≡C<Subscript>(ads)</Subscript> adsorbed on an Ag(111) surface: a short-time Fourier transform approach

The reaction dynamics for C–Br dissociation within BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) adsorbed on an Ag(111) surface has been investigated by combining density functional theory-based molecular dynamics simulations with short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis of the dipole moment autocorrelation function. Two possible reaction pathways for C–Br scission within BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) have been proposed on the basis of different initial structural models. Firstly, the initial perpendicular orientation of adsorbed BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) with a stronger C–Br bond will undergo dynamic rotation leading to the final parallel orientation of BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) to cause the C–Br scission, namely, an indirect dissociation pathway. Secondly, the initial parallel orientation of adsorbed BrH₂C–C≡C_(ads) with a weaker C–Br bond will directly cause the C–Br scission within BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads), namely, a direct dissociation pathway. To further investigate the evolution of different vibrational modes of BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) along these two reaction pathways, the STFT analysis is performed to illustrate that the infrared (IR) active peaks of BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) such as vCH₂ [2956 cm^?1(s) and 3020 cm^?1(as)], v≡CH (3320 cm^?1) and vC≡C (2150 cm^?1) gradually vanish as the rupture of C–Br bond occurs and then the resulting IR active peaks such as C=C=C (1812 cm^?1), ω-CH₂ (780 cm^?1) and δ-CH (894 cm^?1) appear due to the formation of H₂C=C=CH_(ads) which are in a good agreement with experimental reflection adsorption infrared spectrum (RAIRS) at temperatures of 110 and 200 K, respectively. Finally, the total energy profiles indicate that the reaction barriers for the scission of C–Br within BrH₂C–C≡CH_(ads) along both direct and indirect dissociation pathways are very close due to a similar rupture of C–Br bond leading to a similar transition state.     

Physical and chemical properties of hydroxyflavones. IV. Infrared absorption spectra of dihydroxyflavones containing the 5-hydroxyl group

Solid state infrared curves (O-H and C-H stretching region) are given for 5, n-dihydroxyflavones, where n is 2′, 3′, 4′, 6, 7 and 8. In chloroform solution spectra of 3,5-dihydroxyflavone and 3-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavone, the 3-OH stretching band appears at 3400 and 3334 cm^?1, respectively, indicative of a stronger hydrogen bond in the latter substance. Solid state and solution carbonyl bands are presented for twenty-six flavone derivatives which contain a hydroxyl, methoxyl or acetoxyl group at the 5-position. The solution spectra (dioxane or carbon tetrachloride) of fourteen flavone derivatives containing a free 5-hydroxyl group show carbonyl bands at 1655±2 cm^?1. Eleven flavones in which the 5-hydroxyl is blocked (carbon tetrachloride solution) give spectra with flavone carbonyl bands at 1653±3 cm^?1. The high resolution chloroform solution spectrum of 3, 5-dihydroxyflavone possesses a multi-peaked carbonyl band with midpoint at 1641 cm^?1. The chloroform solution spectrum of 3-hydroxy-5-methoxyflavone has a very strong band at 1616 cm^?1, with shoulder at 1646 cm^?1. Spectral data of this and a previous paper support the postulate that in 4′-hydroxyflavone the flavone carbonyl oxygen is the donor atom in an intermolecular hydrogen bond. Certain details of synthesis, and analytical data, are given for 3, 5-dihydroxyflavone.     

Synthesis,properties and X‐ray structure of 5‐azido‐2‐methoxy‐1,3‐xylyl‐18‐crown‐5

5‐Azido‐2‐methoxy‐1,3‐xylyl‐18‐crown‐5 has been prepared by reacting p‐toluenesulfonyl azide with the carbanion generated from the reaction of 5‐bromo‐2‐methoxy‐1,3‐xylyl‐18‐crown‐5 with n‐butyl lithium. The asymmetric N₃ stretch of this product has been observed as a single band at 2110 cm^?1 in dichloromethane solution. Addition of solid NaSCN, KSCN and CsSCN shifts this band to 2115, 2113 and 2112 cm^?1, respectively. Computational studies of this azide at the B3LYP‐6‐31G* level in the presence and absence of Na⁺ predicted these bands to be at 2173 cm^?1 and 2184 cm^?1. For the salt‐containing solutions, additional bands were observed at 2066 cm^?1, 2056 cm^?1 and 2055 cm^?1, respectively, which are in the range expected for CN stretches. The X‐ray structure of this azide has been determined. The terminal and internal N? N bond lengths were found to be 1.127(2) and 1.245(2) Δ, respectively, which is the usual pattern for aromatic azides. The crown ether is looped over the face of the aromatic ring resulting in an angle of 38.94° between the plane defined by the aromatic ring and that defined by the five ring oxygen atoms. In addition, the CH₃ group is rotated out of the plane of the phenyl ring with C1‐C18‐O181‐C182 and C17‐C18‐O181‐C182 dihedral angles of 93.81(14)° and ‐90.54(14)°, respectively.     

4-Hydroxycoumarin/2-hydroxychromone tautomerism: Infrared spectra of 2-13c and 3-D labeled 4-hydroxycoumarin and its anion

Bands with primarily v (C=O) and v (C=O) character in the spectra of 4-hydroxycoumarin and its anion were identified by isotopic substitution with either ¹³C or deuterium. Two bands of each type were found for spectra of 4-hydroxycoumarin in solution in chloroform, dioxane, or dimethylsulfoxide, with v (C=O) at 1704–1733 cm^?1 and ～ 1567 cm^?1. Two bands, at 1618 and 1559 cm^?1, are associated with v (C=C) in the spectrum of crystalline 4-hydroxycoumarin monohydrate, but only a single v (C=O) band at ～ 1655 cm^?1 was observed. Anhydrous 4-hydroxycoumarin has v (C=O) bands at ～ 1700 cm^?1 and a shoulder at ～ 1670 cm^?1. The strong band at 1660 cm^?1 in the spectrum of 4-hydroxycommarin anion in dimethylsulfoxide solution is due to a delocalized v (O = C = O) vibration, whereas the band at 1555 cm^?1 has partial v (C=C) character and involves C(3) but not C(2), supporting a fully delocalized char structure for the anion. No evidence for the existence of the 2-hydroxychromone tautomer was found, except in the case of anhydrous 4-hydroxycoumarin in the solid state.     

Hydrogen‐Bond Dynamics of C?H⋅⋅⋅O Interactions: The Chloroform⋅⋅⋅Acetone Case

Spectroscopic evidence for C? H ??? O hydrogen bonding in chloroform ??? acetone [Cl₃CH ??? O?C(CH₃)₂] mixtures was obtained from vibrational inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra. Comparison between the INS spectra of pure samples and their binary mixtures reveals the presence of new bands at about 82, 130 and 170 cm^?1. Assignment of the 82 cm^?1 band to the νO ??? H anti‐translational mode is considered and discussed. In addition, the βC? H mode of CHCl₃ at 1242 cm^?1 is split in the spectra of the mixtures, and the high‐wavenumber component is assigned to the hydrogen‐bonded complex. The plot of the integrated intensity of this component shows a maximum for x=0.5, in agreement with the 1:1 stoichiometry of the chloroform ??? acetone complex, with a calculated complexation constant of 0.15 dm³ mol^?1. Results also show that the complex behaves as an independent entity, that is, despite being weak, such interactions play a key role in supramolecular chemistry.     

FT‐IR Investigation into the miscible interactions in new materials for optical devices

In this article we determine the miscibility of azobenzene derivative (poly(4‐(N‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl)‐N‐ethylamino)‐4′‐nitroazobenzene)₉₀‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)₁₀)/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and azobenzene derivative/poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) blends using Fourier Transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. With this method we can clearly identify the exact interactions responsible for miscibility. In the azobenzene derivative 50:50PVAc blend new peaks were evident at 2960, 2890, 1237 and 959 cm^?1, these peaks depict miscible interactions. These wavenumbers indicate that the miscible interactions occurring are from the C? H stretching band, the vinyl acetate C?O, conjugated to the ester carbonyl, the cis‐transformation N?N stretch frequency and the acetate ester weak doublet. The azobenzene derivative 80:20PVC blend display peaks identical in profile to the blend homopolymers, indicating no miscible interactions. However, this could be due to overlapping of peaks within the same wavenumber region, making resolution difficult. This research demonstrates FT‐IR can deduce favorable interactions for miscibility and therefore numerous miscible blends can successfully be calculated if possessing the same groups responsible for miscibility. This paves the way for a new generation of designer optical materials with the desired properties. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.