Vibrational spectra,force fields and electronic structures of sydnones

Normal vibrational analyses of 3-methylsydnone and 3-methylsydnone-d₄ have been performed. On the basis of the set of force constants obtained, the electronic distribution within the mesoionic ring is evaluated and compared to the results of MO calculations. The π-bond order of the sydnone carbonyl group is shown to be lower than that in alicyclic esters and the unusually high “carbonyl stretching” frequency is due to the contributions from other coordinates to this mode. The splitting of the “carbonyl stretching” band observed in the spectra of 3-methylsydnone and of related derivatives is explained by the strong kinematic coupling between mesoionic bonds.