Normal Coordinate Analysis in Cartesian Space I. Planar Symmetric Xn Molecules

Normal coordinate analysis of X_n type molecules can be carried out in the Cartesian space as well as in the internal space. Force constants in Cartesian coordinates for aromatic compounds belonging to D_nh group are calculated. The force constants of benzene are evaluated from vibrational frequencies both in the ground state and the ¹B_1u excited state. The calculated frequencies of planar carbon vibration of annulene of any N are tabulated. The normal coordinates derived from the calculation of 10-annulene are roughly the same of naphthalene derived more elaborated by Scherer. The normal modes in 10-annulene are indeed good approximations to the ones in naphthalene. This conclusion is valid for the other aromatic compounds.