Infrared and Raman Spectra of and Isotopomers: A DFT-PT2 Anharmonic Study

Abstract

IR and Raman spectra of selenophene and of its perdeuterated isotopomer have been obtained in gas phase through density-functional theory (DFT) computations. Vibrational wavenumbers have been calculated using harmonic and anharmonic second-order perturbation theory (PT2) procedures with the B3LYP method and the 6-311 basis set. Anharmonic overtones have been determined by means of the PT2 method. The introduction of anharmonic terms decreases the harmonic wavenumbers, giving a significantly better agreement with the experimental data. The most significant anharmonic effects occur for the C–H and C–D stretching modes, the observed H/D isotopic wavenumber redshifts being satisfactorily reproduced by the PT2 computations within 6–20 cm−1 (1–3%). In the spectral region between 500 cm−1 and 1500 cm−1, the IR spectra are dominated by the out-of-plane C–H (C–D) bending transition, whereas the Raman spectra are mainly characterized by a strong peak mainly attributed to the C=C + C–C bonds stretching vibration with the contribution of the in-plane C–H (C–D) bending deformation. The current results confirm that the PT2 approach combined with the B3LYP/6-311 level of calculation is a satisfactory choice for predicting vibrational spectra of cyclic molecules.