A Raman spectroscopic study of the low-frequency vibrations of o-dimethoxybenzene and its methyl deuterated analogues

The low-frequency (100–400 cm⁻¹) Raman spectra of liquid (at 300 K) and solid (at 130 K) veratrole (o-dimethoxybenzene), and its methyl deuterated analogues, have been measured. The methyl and methoxyl torsional transitions have been identified, and the corresponding rotational barriers have been determined. The interpretation of the spectra points to a conformationally mixed situation for solid veratrole, in which both planar and non-planar conformers may co-exist.