Normal coordinate analyses for 2-, 3-and 4-acetylpyridine and acetophenone were carried out employing a systematic procedure based on a modified valence force field that is comparable to those used previously for different aromatic molecules. The general valence force fields (GVFF) were determined using a set of 41 parameters (25 planar and 16 non-planar) for the above compounds to compare the observed wavenumbers with the calculated values satisfactorily with an average error of 7.0 cm −1 (0.82%) for in-plane and 9.2 cm −1 (1.60%) for out-of-plane modes. On the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution, certain revisions of the previous assignments were made. The decomposition of the normal mode wavenumbers into those related to different internal coordinates is discussed.
EXPERIMENTALThe three isomeric acetylpyridines and acetophenone were supplied by Fluka, Ega-Chemie, Sigma and SRL (India) in 98%, 99%, 97% and 99% purity, respectively and they were further purified by vacuum distillation. IR spectra were measured on thin films on a previously calibrated Perkin-Elmer Model 783 IR spectrophotometer. The resolution of the IR band is about 2 cm 1 for sharp bands and slightly less for the broader bands.Raman spectra of pure samples were recorded with a Spex Raman spectrometer (Ramalog) system, fitted with an argon ion laser using 488 nm as the excitation wavelength, interfaced with a computer in the photon counting mode. The slit widths of the monochromators were adjusted to obtain reasonably good Raman spectra. The detection system used is was a R928-7 PMT from Hamamatsu Photonics, attached to the spectrometer and held in a cryostat (Spex model 1730) having a suitable resistor network. The laser power was kept at 200 mW. Polarized Raman spectra were recorded with an arrangement