A general local-mode theory for high energy polyatomic overtone spectra and application to dichloromethane

A new model is developed to describe the overtone spectra of polyatomic molecules containing XH_n moieties. The infrared absorption is described as corresponding to excitation of localized modes of vibration rather than a set of symmetry allowed combinations of anharmonic normal modes. The possibility of assigning new bands in the more complex regions of the overtone spectra which involve combinations of both stretching and bending modes is examined and illustrated using the overtone spectrum of ammonia. The overtone spectrum of dichloromethane is recorded in the range λ = 9260 Å to λ = 5300 Å, and the CH overtone bands at 8850 Å, 7223 Å, and 6165 Å corresponding to the Δv_CH = 4, 5, and 6 overtones are identified. Specific features of these bands are discussed in detail in relation to the model. The common features and simplicity of the Δv_CH = 4 overtone bands of a series of halomethanes and ethanes are also interpreted in terms of the model.