CH local mode overtone excitations in benzyl chloride—A conformational study

The CH local mode overtone spectrum of benzyl chloride in the visible and NIR regions studied by laser induced thermal lens and conventional NIR absorption is presented. The analysis shows that the −CH₂Cl group is symmetrically oriented with respect to the benzene ring, thus finalizing one of the two possible conformational models predicted by electron diffraction studies. The aryl CH bonds have a slightly larger force constant than that in benzene.