Photoelectron spectroscopy of some thiocyanates,isocyanates and isothiocyanates

Photoelectron spectra of some thiocyanates (RSCN, R = CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₄H₉), isocyanates (RNCO, R = C₂H₅, n-C₄H₉) and isothiocyanates (RNCS, R = C₂H₅, n-C₄H₉) have been measured, to study interactions between nonbonding and π orbitals, mainly localized on the SCN, NCO or NCS fragments. The spectral interpretation of CH₃SCN is based on semiempirical CNDO/S calculations, sum-rule considerations, and intensity differences between He(I) and HE(II) spectra. For the larger molecules, comparison of the spectra is used as an aid in the interpretation. In a number of aromatic isocyanates (o?, m?, p-tolylisocyanate and m?, p-chlorophenylisocyanate), interactions between the isocyanate group and the highest occupied π and σ orbitals of the phenyl ring are studied. Spectra are assigned on the basis of semiempirical INDO/S calculations.