Application of self-consistent-field ab initio calculations to organic molecules

The local symmetry force constants of propene have been calculated from extended (4–31 G) self-consistent-field ab initio energies. The previously developed scaling method was used to adjust seven scale factors on 84 observed frequencies of propene and deuterated analogues. The latter were taken from the literature. The average difference between observed and calculated frequencies amounted to 8·3 cm^-1 or 0·63 per cent. The stretching force constant of the carbon-carbon single bond was found to be 0·3–0·4 mdyn Å^-1 larger than those of ethane and propane. Force constants of the CH₃ groups in the series: ethane, propane, propene, methanol and dimethyl ether, written in local symmetry coordinates, seem to be transferable within about 2 per cent. Individual CH bond stretching force constants, written in internal coordinates, show significant chemical variations.