Spectra and structure of organophosphorus compounds—XXX. Vibrational and conformational study of methoxy difluorophosphinoxide-d0 and -d3

The i.r. (4000-40 cm⁻¹) and Raman (4000-10 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous, liquid and solid methoxy difluorophosphinoxide, CH₃OP(O)F₂, and the deuterated analog have been recorded. Results obtained from variable solvent and matrix isolation studies are consistent with the existence of both trans (CO bond trans to the PO bond) and gauche (dihedral angle approximately 120° from the trans form) conformers in the fluid phases. From simulations of observed gas phase i.r. band profiles, it was possible for assignments to be made to the individual conformers for a number of the fundamentals. Variable temperature studies carried out for the gaseous and liquid phases give energy differences between the gauche and trans conformers of 451 ± 100 cm⁻¹ (1.29 ± 0.3 kcal/mol) and 69 ± 20 cm⁻¹ (197 ± 57 cal/mol), respectively. Furthermore, these data are consistent with the gauche form being the thermodynamically preferred conformer for the gas phase whereas the trans conformer is preferred in the liquid phase and the only conformer present in the annealed solid. The methoxy torsional mode of the gauche conformer has been assigned to a very strong band observed in the far i.r. spectrum of the gas phase at 42 cm⁻¹. The matrix isolation spectra of the normal compound in Ar, CO and N₂ matrices indicated no changes in the conformational equilibrium among these different matrices and this equilibrium remains unchanged upon annealing the matrices.     

Trapping of unstable conformations from thermal molecular beams in argon matrices: 1,2-difluoroethane and 1,3-butadiene,i.r. spectra and conformer equilibria

Ar matrix i.r. spectra of gauche and trans 1,2-difluoroethane -d₀ and -d₄, and of butadiene-1¹³C, -1,4-¹³C₂, and -d₆ generated from thermal molecular beams with Knudsen cell temperatures between 300 and 850 K are reported. It is shown that the conformers of the haloethane (gauche and trans) and the diene (trans and cis) are trapped in the matrix. For 1,2-difluoroethane the potential function to internal rotation is derived from the far i.r. gas spectrum. Basing on matrix spectra and data available on gas spectra and normal coordinate analysis approximations to the harmonic potential of the conformations of CH₂FCH₂F, CH₂ClCH₂Cl and CH₂:CHCH:CH₂ are derived. From van't Hoff plots of the concentration ratio of CH₂FCH₂F gauche and trans conformations the enthalpy ΔH(T₀)≈ 207(30) cm⁻¹ is derived. By comparison of the equilibrium constant of the gauche → cis conversion calculated from statistical thermodynamics with the observed concentration ratio it is shown that the trapping process of the thermal molecular beam in the matrix occurs with essentially no thermal relaxation of the unstable conformer.     

IR-induced conformer interconversion processes of glycolaldehyde in low-temperature matrices,and ab initio calculations on the energetics and vibrational frequencies of the conformers

Both IR-induced and thermal conformer interconversion processes of glycolaldehyde (CHOCH₂OH) were studied in low-temperature Ar, Kr and Xe matrices. The observed photochemical reaction induced by broad-band IR irradiation is interpreted to proceed from the lowest-energy conformer Cc which prevails after deposition to conformer Tt. In Xe and Kr the photochemical steady state (ratio [Tt]/[Cc]) depends on the matrix temperature; two conformers, Tg and Tt, seem to be in thermal equilibrium, and at elevated temperatures species Tg is enriched, and then the reverse photoprocess Tg → Cc occurs more rapidly than the competing reverse process, Tt → Cc which prevails at 13 K. Because of the thermal equilibrium the routes of the forward and reverse photoprocesses are considered to be different. A thermal reverse process, Tt → Tg → Cc, is observed at temperatures above 30 K in Xe and Kr. The role of the torsional barrier heights in determining the rates of the photoprocesses is emphasized. To aid in the interpretation of the experimental results, ab initio calculations were carried out. Geometries and energies of all conformers of glycoaldehyde as well as the geometries of the most important saddle points were fully optimized at the HF/6-31G** level, and vibrational spectra were calculated on the HF/4-31G level; the latter conformed to the experimental conformer assignment.     

The vibrational spectra and structure of diiminosuccinonitrile and N,N′-dichlorodiiminosuccinonitrile

The i.r. spectra of diiminosuccinonitrile and N,N′-dichlorodiiminosuccinonitrile were recorded as Nujol mulls, as pellets in KBr and polyethylene matrices and as solutions in CH₃CN in the region 4000-30 cm⁻¹. Raman spectra of the pure solids were obtained and polarization data were recorded from saturated solutions in CH₃CN.The mutual exclusion of i.r. and Raman lines revealed that both compounds existed in the trans conformation and no additional conformers (gauche or cis) were detected in solution.The fundamental frequencies for both molecules were assigned on basis of i.r. and Raman activities, Raman polarization data and the results of normal coordinate analyses.     

Thermal and IR-induced conformer interconversion processes for 2-chloroallyl alcohol in Low-temperature matrices: Wavelength-dependent conformer steady states

2-chloroallyl alcohol has been studied in low-temperature Ar, Kr, Xe, N₂ and CH₄ matrices. An IR-induced process was found in all media except CH₄ and resulted in a steady state dependent on the Wavelength of the irradiation. At elevated temperatures thermal conformer interconversions occurred. The energetics of the processes are discussed and their potential barriers determined. No mode selectivity was found.     

Infrared spectroscopy of SO2 clusters in rare gas matrices revisited: Assignment of species in Ar matrix

We have observed infrared spectra of the SO₂ clusters in rare gas matrices (Ar, Kr, Xe). The spectral dependence on temperature and concentration led us to the firm assignment of the SO₂ dimer in Kr and Xe, the result of which was used to reassign dimeric vibrational transitions in Ar that have been controversial for more than ten years.     

Guest-host interaction and photochemical transformation of silver particles isolated in rare gas matrices

Silver dimers and small clusters isolated in rare gas matrices are studied by UV-VIS absorption, emission, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. One, two, and three dimer trapping sites can be identified in Xe, Kr, and Ar matrices, respectively. The sites are identified by computer simulation to be either ofD _4h symmetry, with the molecules aligned in the 〈100〉-direction of thefcc-host lattice, or ofD _2h symmetry, with the molecules occupying single or double vacancies and aligned in the 〈110〉-direction. Low energy external modes of the dimers are observed in the resonance Raman spectra. They probe the guest-host interaction of the molecules and are assigned to librational modes. Trimers and larger clusters are found to be very photosensitive. Three different trimers can be observed in Xe and Kr matrices, respectively. They can be transformed reversibly into each other by laser irradiation. This indicates that probably three corresponding isomers can get stabilized in the two matrices. Further evidence for this interpretation is obtained from emission spectroscopy. Despite the photosensitivity of the trimers it is possible to stabilize the concentration of a particular species by a dual beam technique. Thus we obtained a resonance Raman spectrum of one species in a Xe matrix and a preresonance spectrum of the corresponding species in a Kr matrix.     

The stable form of 1, 1, 1-trifluoro-3-chloropropane molecules in the crystal II modification

The vibrational spectra of CF₃CH₂CH₂Cl in different states of aggregation is investigated and the normal coordinate analysis of trans- and gauche-conformers is carried out. The assignments in vibrational spectra for both the conformers of CF₃CH₂CH₂Cl are given. It is shown that the stable crystalline modification, crystal II, is formed by the trans-conformer of the molecule.     

Vibrational and rotational spectra and conformational behavior of (chloromethyl)thiirane

Infrared and Raman spectra of liquid and solid (chloromethyl)thiirane (3-chloropropylene sulfide), along with the infrared and microwave spectra of the vapor, have been recorded. The vibrational spectra are consistent with the existence of at least two conformations. Unlike the situation found for related molecules, the gauche-2 conformation of (chloromethyl)thiirane appears to be the most stable in all three phases. Variable temperature studies of the Raman spectra of the liquid allowed an enthalpy difference of 0.44 kcal mol⁻¹ between the gauche-1 and gauche-2 conformers to be calculated. The temperature dependence of certain Raman lines and the results of solution studies (infrared and Raman) suggest that a small amount of a third conformer (cis) might exist in the fluid phases. These experimental conclusions are supported by semi-empirical calculations (using the AM1 Hamiltonian) which suggest that all three conformers should be stable in the order: gauche-2 >gauche-1 >cis. In the microwave spectrum, the observed conformer has been experimentally determined to be the gauche-1 form with the rotational constants (in MHz): A = 7596.584, B = 1706.588, and C = 1476.982. The nuclear quadrupole constant η κ_aa_ has been determined to be −40.01 ± 0.38 MHz. The structure and conformations of (chloromethyl)thiirane are compared with related three-membered ring compounds.     

FTIR spectra of HSCH2CH2SH,CH3SCH2SH,and CH3SSCH3 in argon and nitrogen matrices

Matrix-isolated IR spectra of 1,2-ethanedithiol, (methylthio)methanethiol, and dimethyldisulfide were recorded from 400 to 4000 cm⁻¹ in argon and nitrogen matrices at 12 K. The appearances of new bands around the vibrations of the monomers provide evidence for the presence of dimer and multimers of 1,2-ethanedithiol and (methythio)methanethiol in argon and nitrogen matrices. The co-existence of two different dimers of (methylthio)methanethiol in nitrogen matrices is considered on the basis of the experimental data. The spectroscopic data confirm the presence of one gauche and one trans conformer for 1,2-ethanedithiol and at least three conformers for (methylthio)methanethiol, but only one gauche form for dimethyl disulfide in the matrices.     

Infrared matrix spectra,normal coordinate analysis and valence force field of six isotopomers of methyl nitrite

Infrared—spectra of the isotopic species ¹³CH₃ONO, CH₃¹⁸ONO, CH₃O¹⁵NO and CH₃ON¹⁸O, isolated in argon matrices, are reported. Spectral data together with earlier data on CH₃ONO are used for derivation of 22 parameter harmonic valence force fields for both the cis and trans conformers and assignments are presented for all isotopic species in the two conformations. The valence force field will be used to propose assignments of cis and trans CD₃ONO reported earlier by Ogilvie. A comparison of force constants of molecules with CO, NO, and NO fragments and their dependence on conformation and structure is made.     

A matrix isolation study on Ac-l-Pro-NH2: a frequent structural element of β- and γ-turns of peptides and proteins

The fine tuned flexibility of peptides and proteins is one of their key features to achieve full bioactivity. Proline diamides are inherently the most rigid natural peptide models, but they still have a potential to adopt several backbone and side-chain conformers. It has been tried to spell out the residual conformational flexibility of Ac-l-Pro-NH₂ using matrix isolation IR and VCD spectroscopy in Ar and Kr matrices. Spectra were analyzed by the help of quantum chemical calculations. The spectra are dominated by the transitions of the tγ_L+ conformer, furthermore trace amounts of the cα_L+ conformer are also present. Another low-energy conformer, tγ_L−, cannot be identified in the spectra, which was interpreted as it converts to the lowest energy tγ_L+ form through a low-energy barrier during the deposition of the sample onto the cold window. Our results confirm that proline can act as a conformational lock, since the backbone predominantly adapts to the tγ_L structure.     

Conformational analysis,barriers to internal rotation and vibrational assignment for dimethylethylamine

The IR (50–3500 cm^?1) and Raman (20–3500 cm^?1) spectra have been recorded for gaseous and solid dimethylethylamine. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. Due to the fact that three distinct Raman lines disappear on going from the fluid phases to the solid state, it is concluded that the molecule exists as a mixture of the gauche and trans conformers in the fluid phases with the gauche conformer being more stable and the only one present in the spectra of the unannealed solid. From the temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid a rough estimate of 3.9 kcal mol^?1 has been obtained for ΔH. Relying mainly on group frequencies and relative intensities of the IR and Raman lines, a complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the gauche conformer. The potential functions for the three methyl rotors have been obtained, and the barriers to internal rotation for the two CH₃ rotors attached to the nitrogen atom have been calculated to be 3.51 and 3.43 kcal mol^?1, whereas the barrier for the CH₃ rotor of the ethyl group has been calculated to be 3.71 kcal mol^?1. The asymmetric torsional mode for the gauche conformer has been observed in both the IR and Raman spectra of the gas at 105 cm^?1 with at least one hot band at a lower frequency. Since the corresponding mode has not been observed for the trans conformer, it is not possible to obtain the potential function for the asymmetric rotation although estimates on the magnitudes of some of the terms have been made. Significant changes occur in the low-frequency IR and Raman spectra of the solid with repeated annealing; several possible reasons for these changes are discussed and one possible explanation is that a conformational change is taking place in the solid where the trans form is stabilized by crystal packing forces. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar amines.     

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 analysis,barriers to internal rotation,vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of chloroacetone

The infrared (3500-20 cm⁻¹) and Raman (3200-10 cm⁻¹) spectra have been recorded for gaseous and solid chloroacetone (1-chloro-2-propanone), CH₂ClC(O)CH₃. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. These data have been interpreted on the basis that the molecule exists predominantly in a gauche conformation having a “near cis” structure of C₁ symmetry (dih ClCCO=142°C) in the vapor but for the liquid a second conformer having a trans structure (chlorine atom oriented trans to the methyl group) with C_s point group symmetry is present. From a study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid at variable temperatures, the trans conformation has been determined to be more stable than the gauche form by 1042±203 cm⁻¹ (2.98±0.6 kcal mol⁻¹ and is the only conformer present in the spectrum of the annealed solid. From ab initio calculations at the 3-21G* and 6-31G* basis set levels optimized geometries for both the gauche and trans conformers have been obtained and the potential surfaces governing internal rotation of the symmetric and asymmetric rotors have been obtained. The observed vibrational frequencies and assignments to the fundamental vibrations for both the gauche and trans conformers are compared to those calculated with the 3-21G* basis set. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.     

Conformations and vibrational spectra of allyl isocyanate and allyl isothiocyanate

The infrared spectra of allyl isocyanate and allyl isothiocyanate as vapours and liquids were recorded in the region 4000-50 cm^?1. Additional spectra of the amorphous and crystalline solids at ?180°C were recorded between 4000 and 400 cm^?1. p]Raman spectra, including semiquantitative polarization measurements were obtained of the liquids, and spectra of the unannealed as well as of the crystalline solids at ?180°C were recorded.A considerable simplification of the vibrational spectra of the crystals compared to the liquids was observed as a consequence of the conformational equilibria in these compounds. It can be concluded with confidence that a cis conformation of the allyl group was present in the crystals of both compounds with additional gauche conformers in the liquids. No definite conclusions can be reached regarding the conformational arrangement of the -NCX groups. A remarkable similarity was observed between the spectra of the two compounds, and all the fundamental frequencies except the lowest C-N torsion have been assigned for the cis conformers. More than ten fundamentals for the gauche conformers have also been assigned.     

HXeCCH in Ar and Kr matrices

HXeCCH molecule is prepared in Ar and Kr matrices and characterized by IR absorption spectroscopy. The experiments show that HXeCCH can be made in another host than the polarizable Xe environment. The H-Xe stretching absorption of HXeCCH in Ar and Kr is blueshifted from the value measured in solid Xe. The maximum blueshifts are +44.9 and +32.3 cm(-1) in Ar and Kr, respectively, indicating stabilization of the H-Xe bond. HXeCCH has a doublet H-Xe stretching absorption measured in Xe, Kr, and Ar matrices with a splitting of 5.7, 13, and 14 cm(-1), respectively. Ab initio calculations for the 1:1 HXeCCHcdots, three dots, centeredNg complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe) are used to analyze the interaction of the hosts with the embedded molecule. These calculations support the matrix-site model where the band splitting observed experimentally is caused by specific interactions of the HXeCCH molecule with noble-gas atoms in certain local morphologies. However, the 1:1 complexation is unable to explain the observed blueshifts of the H-Xe stretching band in Ar and Kr matrices compared to a Xe matrix. More sophisticated computational approach is needed to account in detail the effects of solid environment.     

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.     

Matrix-isolation infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopic studies of less stable conformers of 1,3,5-hexatriene

The infrared spectra of the 3-trans and 3-cis isomers of 1,3,5-hexatriene in low-temperature Ar matrices deposited from a high-temperature nozzle or deposited under irradiation of the Hg 253.7 nm light show a number of new bands. Correspondingly, the ultraviolet spectra of the 3-trans isomer observed under similar experimental conditions show a new absorption at 276 nm. Most of these new infrared bands and the new ultraviolet absorption are attributable to less stable isomers which have the planar s-cis conformation [or gauche conformation(s) close to the planar s-cis] about either one or both of the two CC bonds.     

Analysis of IR spectra of carbon clusters trapped in noble gas matrices using algorithms based on digital filtering techniques

IR spectra of carbon clusters C_n (n3) trapped in noble gas matrices (Ar and Kr) at temperatures of 13, 30 and 35 K are analyzed using algorithms based on digital filtering techniques and non-linear least-squares fitting. The spectral features at different temperatures and in different matrices are discussed. The majority of the resolved lines are assigned to C_n cluster species based on data obtained via quantum chemical computations and from tunable laser IR spectrometry of C_n species in the gas phase. A complete analysis of the IR spectra is available upon request.