Vibrational analysis of alkyl iodides: 1-iodo-2- methylpropane and 1-iodo-3-methylbutane

Liquid and solid-state infrared spectra were obtained for 1-iodo-2-methylpropane and 1-iodo-3-methylbutane. The C-I stretching bands of the P_C and P_H' conformers of the propane were observed at 601 and 582 cm^?1, respectively, and those of the P_C and P_H conformers of the butane were observed at 595 and 512 cm^?1. Both conformers of each compound are present in the amorphous solid. Only the more sterically hindered P_H' conformer is present in the crystalline solid of the propane, and only the P_H conformer is present in the crystals of the butane. Vibrational assignments were made for both conformers of each compound with the aid of normal coordinate calculations. The increase in C-I stretching frequency of the P_H' conformer of the propane from the normal value in alkyi iodides (from ca. 500 to 582 cm^?1) is attributed to the increased contribution of C-C stretch and decreased contribution of C-I stretch.