The infrared and Raman spectra of octachloro- and octabromocyclotetrasilane

The infrared and Raman spectra of cyclo-Si₄Cl₈ and cyclo-Si₄Br₈ have been measured and assigned. The selection rules indicate that the Si₄ ring is not planar. A normalcoordinate analysis (NCA) has been performed. The SiSi stretching-force constants are calculated to be 1.75–1.5·10² Nm^?1 and are lower than in the corresponding perhalogenated five- and six-membered rings. The SiCl and SiBr force constants seem to be somewhat higher (2.7–2.35·10² Nm^?1).