Examination of the Matrix Isolation Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra of Organic Compounds: Part II

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Abstract
Matrix-isolated (MI) Fourier transform infrared spectra have been collected on a series of aliphatic ketones. The values for the carbonyl absorptions maxima are intermediate between vapor-phase (VP) and solid-state solution (SS) phases. The data reveal a stereochemical influence on the position of the ketone carbonyl absorption when the carbons that are in the alpha position with respect to the carbonyl group contain alkyl snbstituents vs. protons. Steric bulk causes the frequency of the absorption to decrease. The position of the ketone carbonyl absorption was also shown to decrease as the carbonyl group migrated toward the center of a long straight-chain hydrocarbon backbone. Stereochemical influences due to ring strain were also documented. Unsaturation, located in the alpha position with respect to the carbonyl, was shown to reduce the absorption frequency. The trends found in this MI study are comparable to those previously documented from VP and SS studies. In two cases wherein very bulky substituents were located in the alpha position with respect to the carbonyl, a splitting of the carbonyl absorption was observed. Studies are underway to test for a general trend in and to uncover an explanation for this phenomenon.