The infrared and Raman spectra of pyromellitic dianhydride

The infrared and Raman spectra of solid state samples of pyromellitic dianhydride have been measured. The infrared—Raman mutual exclusion rule has been observed and the frequencies have been tentatively assigned on the basis of D_2h symmetry. The values of the CO and skeletal ring stretching frequencies have been interpreted in terms of a conjugated π-system.