Reducing-difference infrared spectral analysis of cis- and trans-configurated lactams

The conventional (non-polarized) and linear-polarized IR-spectra of 2-pyrrolidone and laurolactam as typical representatives of lactams with cis- and trans-amide configuration, respectively, were studied by means of difference IR-spectroscopy. The application of this method to treatment of the non-polarized IR-spectra permits additional conclusions about the likely self-associates of these compounds dissolved in aprotic solvents. By means of the difference linear-dichroic IR-spectroscopy, a more precise assignment of the characteristic bands of the lactam cis- and trans-peptide forms as well as their stereo structures were accomplished. A comparative analysis with the linear-dichroic IR-spectra of epsilon-caprolactam and caprylolactam, as similar compounds, with cis- and trans-conformation, respectively, was also carried out.