6

Vibrational Spectroscopy

6.1 Diatomic molecules

We have seen in Section 1.3.6 how the vibrational energy levels E" of a diatomic molecule,
treated in the hannonic oscillator approximation, are given by

E,. = hv(v +!) (6.1)

where the vibrational quantum number v = 0, 1,2, .... The classical vibrational frequency
v is related to the reduced mass J1, [equal to mlm2/(ml + m2)] and the force constant k by

1
v = 2n (~) 1/2 (6.2)

The force constant can be regarded as a measure of the strength of the spring in the ball-and
spring model for molecular vibration. Table 6.1 gives some typical values in units of aJ A -2
(10 2 N m - I ).1 The pre-SI unit of k was commonly mdyn A-I and it is fortunate that
I aJ A -2 = I mdyn A -I. The values illustrate the increase of k with bond order. HCI, HF,
Ch and F2 all have single bonds and relatively low values of k, although that of HF is
somewhat higher. 02, NO, CO and N 2 have bond orders of2, 2!, 3 and 3, respectively, which
are reflected in their k values.
Physically, the strength of the spring representing the bond is affected by a subtle balance
of nuclear repulsions, electron repulsions and electron-nuclear attractions. None of these is
affected by nuclear mass and, therefore, k is not affected by isotopic substitution.
Figure 1.13 shows the potential function, vibrational wave functions and energy levels for
a hannonic oscillator. Just as for rotation it is convenient to use tenn values instead of
energy levels. Vibrational tenn values G( v) invariably have dimensions of wavenumber, so
we have, from Equation (1.69),

E" = G(v) = w(v +!) (6.3)

he

I The prefix 'atto' (a) stands for 10 - 18.

137
138 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

=~-..:..Jt:(t=-.
Table 6.1 Force constants for some diatomic molecules

Molecule kjaJ A- 2 Molecule kjaJ A- 2 Molecule kjaJ A- 2

HCI 5.16 F2 4.45 CO 18.55

HF 9.64 O2 11.41 N2 22.41
CI 2 3.20 NO 15.48 l::e ~.:-~ ,;;:-:":~

where (j) is the vibration wavenumber (commonly but incorrectly known as the vibration
frequency).
\~hl.::r. ~,,:-,:H

~lc':l~I...\:~. ~ . . ~e

~UJ". _ :-:-.11

6.1.1 Infrared spectra Ii t:-,~ --:.~.::

mtef'.~~~~~-~1

The transition moment (Equation 2.13) for a transition between lower and upper states with
nh \lb:-.:~:.:'n

vibrational wave functions 1/<

and t/J;, respectively is given by

Rv = J'l'v Jl'l'v dx
,J.I* ,//' (6.4)

deri\ eli :-:-01

where x is (r - r e ), the displacement of the internuclear distance from equilibrium. The
EJ'::'t~ ... t
dipole moment fJ. is zero for a homonuclear diatomic molecule, resulting in R v = 0 and all
in the '-::,c'::
vibrational transitions being forbidden. For a heteronuclear diatomic molecule fJ. is non-zero
le\el~ .b'-'"
and varies with x. This variation can be expressed as a Taylor series expansion
Howe\ ~,.
"ibratlc',.J;

+ (d + 2'1(ddxJl)
2
Jl) 2 (6.5) :\1\ ::-m,
Jl = Jle dx eX 2 eX + ... (6.1(11. ~'ne
inten~ I tle~

where the subscript 'e' refers to the equilibrium configuration. The transition moment of The tn
Equation (6.4) now becomes Equat\\.':C I

"ane~ \\ It
.u
Jt/J~*t/J~ dx + (d:) Jt/J~*xt/J~ dx + ...
~ I,' \\

becJU~~ t
Rv = Jle (6.6)
there :11li:
r < 1" g-1
Since t/J: and t/J~ are eigenfunctions of the same hamiltonian, namely that in Equation (1.65), pO~ltl\ ~ :
they are orthogonal, which means that, when v' =f. v", and tb~ .
It :~ .:J

tran~ltl01
Jt/J:,*t/J~ dx = 0 (6.7) \'e[\ ,0\\
 6.1 DIATOMIC MOLECULES 139

Equation (6.6) then becomes

aJ A-2

18.55
nAl
RL = J
(~) !fr~*x!fr:' dx + ... (6.8)

The first term in this series is non-zero if

as the vibration t1v = l (6.9)

which constitutes the vibrational selection rule. Since t1v refers to v(upper) - v(lower) the
selection rule is effectively t1v = + 1. In the harmonic oscillator, where all level spacings are
equal, all transitions obeying this selection rule are coincident at a wavenumber OJ.
If the spectrum is observed in absorption, as it usually is, and at normal temperatures the
intensities of the transitions decrease rapidly as v" increases, since the population N v of the
'J>ef states with vth vibrational level is related to No by the Boltzmann factor

(6.4) N"
-=exp
No
- (") kT
(6.10)

uilibrium. The derived from Equation (2.11).

R. = 0 and all Each vibrational transition observed in the gas phase gives rise to what is called a 'band'
~ ,u is non-zero in the spectrum. The word 'line' is reserved for describing a transition between rotational
IOn levels associated with the two vibrational levels giving rise to the fine structure of a band.
However, in the solid or liquid phase, where this fine structure is not present, each
vibrational transition is sometimes referred to as a line rather than a band.
(6.5) All bands with v" =j:. 0 are referred to as hot bands because, as indicated by Equation
(6.10), the populations of the lower levels of such transitions, and therefore the transition
intensities, increase with temperature.
Kl moment of The transition intensities are proportional also to IRi and therefore, according to
Equation (6.8), to (dJl/dx)~. Figure 6.1 shows how the magnitude fl of the dipole moment
varies with internuclear distance in a typical heteronuclear diatomic molecule. Obviously,
fl -+ 0 when r -+ 0 and the nuclei coalesce. For neutral diatomics, fl -+ 0 when r -+ 00
(6.6) because the molecule dissociates into neutral atoms. Therefore, between r = 0 and r = 00
there must be a maximum value of fl. Figure 6.1 has been drawn with this maximum at
r < re, giving a negative slope dfl/dr at reo If the maximum were at r > re there would be a
uation (1.65),
positive slope at reo It is possible that the maximum is at re, in which case dfl/dr = 0 at re
and the t1v = I transitions, although allowed, would have zero intensity.
It is an important general point that spectroscopic selection rules tell us only whether a
(6.7) transition may occur but tell us nothing about intensities, which may be accidentally zero or
very low.
140 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

By analo~:- "

'",,~~dr)e
fl
and the tl~< '

which Cl\;',<l
re r
vibration,:,
Figure 6.1 Variation of dipole moment 11 with internuclear distance r in a heteronuclear diatomic transition' .:.l
molecule Inten,;:""
(6.13), h' .::;
x: inste~1c: ,'.
6.1.2 Raman spectra

In both heteronuclear and homonuclear diatomic molecules the polarizability (see Section

5.3.2) varies during vibrational motion leading to a vibrational Raman effect. This variation

can be visualized as being due to the polarizability ellipsoid (Figure 5.14) expanding and Figure t, : '"
contracting as the bond length increases and decreases with vibration. A classical treatment, in Figu:-:: ":'
analogous to that for rotation in Section 5.3.2, leads to a variation with time of the dipole sensiti\" ~:-..
moment fl, induced by irradiation of the sample with intense monochromatic radiation of in a soll.~~,'
wavenumber V, given by The c"j
that for ~l':

monock,':~

fl = CiO,v A sin2ncvt - !CiI,vA cos2nc(v + w)t (6.11 ) Then iT :~~.:'

+ !Cil,vA cos2nc(v - w)t transitil'::

v = 1 IR.:',
In this equation Ci O" is the average polarizability during vibration, Cil,v is the amplitude of the

change of polarizability due to vibration, A is the amplitude of the oscillating electric field of

the incident radiation (Equation 5.44) and w is the vibration wavenumber. Equation (6.11) is

similar to Equation (5.46) for rotation except that the second and third terms in Equation

(6.11) correspond to Raman scattering with a wavenumber of (v + w) and (v - w), the anti

Stokes and Stokes Raman scattering, respectively. Whereas for rotation a changes at twice

the rotational frequency, during a complete vibrational cycle a goes through only one cycle

and, therefore, changes at the same frequency as the frequency of vibration. This accounts

for the absence of the factor of two in Equation (6.11) compared with Equation (5.46).

As for the change of dipole moment, the change of polarizability with vibrational

displacement x can be expressed as a Taylor series

(da) + I"1(d a)
2
Figure b
a = ae + - x -2 ~ + ... (6.12)
dx e 2. dx e mokc"c
 6.1 DlATOM1C MOLECULES 141

By analogy with Equation (6.6) the vibrational Raman transition moment R,o is given by

Rv = (:) eA JIf;*xlf~ dx + ... (6.13)

and the first term is non-zero only if

L1v = l (6.14)

which constitutes the vibrational Raman selection rule. This is the same as for infrared
vibrational transitions, but vibrational Raman spectroscopy has the advantage that
oouclear diatomic transitions are allowed in homonuclear, as well as heteronuclear, diatomic molecules.
Intensities of Raman transitions are proportional to IR v l2 and therefore, from Equation
(6.13), to (da;/dx)~. Since a; is a tensor property we cannot illustrate easily its variation with
x: instead we use the mean polarizability ii, where

ity (see Section ii = t (!Xxx + !Xyy + :Xzz) (6.15)

1.. This variation
I expanding and Figure 6.2 shows typically how ii varies with r; dii/dr is usually positive and, unlike dJl/dr
ssical treatment, in Figure 6.1, varies little with r. For this reason vibrational Raman intensities are less
[Ie of the dipole sensitive than are infrared intensities to the environment ofthe molecule, such as the solvent
me radiation of in a solution spectrum.
The mechanism for Stokes and anti-Stokes vibrational Raman transitions is analogous to
that for rotational transitions, illustrated in Figure 5.16. As shown in Figure 6.3, intense
monochromatic radiation may take the molecule from the v = 0 state to a virtual state Va,
(6.11)
Then it may return to v = 0 in a Rayleigh scattering process or to v = 1 in a Stokes Raman
transition. Alternatively, it may go from the v = I state to the virtual state V1 and return to
v = I (Rayleigh) or to v = 0 (Raman anti-Stokes). However, in many molecules at normal
lIl1plitude of the
electric field of
ruation (6.11) is ,,
ms in Equation (dii/d"~/
,/
- OJ), the anti
h.anges at twice
only one cycle ii
. This accounts ,,'/
nion (5.46). ,,
,,
ith vibrational

re
r

(6.12) Figure 6.2 Variation of the mean polarizability a with internuclear distance r in a diatomic
molecule
142 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

--------------------. V1

---~-----.-,---------. Va

Figure 6.4
! 0 anharm0r.:~ Co,
Anti- Stokes
Stokes

Figure 6.3 Stokes and anti-Stokes vibrational Raman scattering

when" .' :-.J
the m~~_:i
temperatures the initial population of the v = 1 state is so low that anti-Stokes transitions other. t;",~ :'0
may be too weak to be observed. of the l'e':~:1
De is th~ .::,:
in F Iglir~ t
6.1.3 Anharmonicity weaker Tn
oscillate'r. "
6.1.3.1 Electrical anharmonicity
twO nuc:~,
Consec;u~n
Equations (6.5) and (6.12) contain tenns in x to the second and higher powers. If the
figure al5-0
expressions for the dipole moment J.l and the polarizability a were linear in x, then J.l and a
from t:-,~ n
would be said to vary hannonically with x. The effect of higher tenns is known as
.-\ r.',e';C1
anhannonicity and, because this particular kind of anhannonicity is concerned with
generL: [
electrical properties of a molecule, it is referred to as electrical anhannonicity. One effect of
harme';"':':
it is to cause the vibrational selection rule ~v = l in infrared and Raman spectroscopy to
sho\\ ~',~
be modified to ~v = l, 2, 3, .... However, since electrical anhannonicity is usually
On~ ~n
small, the effect is to make only a very small contribution to the intensities of ~v = 2,
selec::e'n I
3, ... transitions, which are known as vibrational overtones.
are l.:-~JlI
has :r.:~ ~
Ho\\ ~\"
6.1.3.2 Mechanical anharmonicity
YibrJ::e,n
E(l~J::e'n
Just as the electrical behaviour of a real diatomic molecule is not accurately hannonic,
neither is its mechanical behaviour. The potential function, vibrational energy levels and
wave functions shown in Figure 1.13 were derived by assuming that vibrational motion
obeys Hooke's law, as expressed by Equation (1.63), but this assumption is reasonable only
 6.1 DIATOMIC MOLECULES 143

,
I

"I I

:::.
:>.
e>
Q) '._------- 7
7

c
Q)

til
~ De Do
.$
~

fa Internuclear distance, f

Figure 6.4 Potential energy curve and energy levels for a diatomic molecule behaving as an
anharmonic oscillator compared with those for a harmonic oscillator (dashed curve)

when r is not very different from re (i.e. when x is small). At large values of r we know that
okes transitions the molecule dissociates: two neutral atoms are fonned and, since they do not influence each
other, the force constant is zero and r can then be increased to infinity with no further change
of the potential energy V. Therefore the potential energy curve flattens out at V = De' where
De is the dissociation energy measured relative to the equilibrium potential energy, as shown
in Figure 6.4. As dissociation is approached the force constant k ---+ 0 and the bond gets
weaker. The effect is to make the potential energy curve shallower than for a hannonic
oscillator, when r > re , as the figure shows. At small values of r the positive charges on the
two nuclei cause mutual repulsion, which increasingly opposes their approaching each other.
powers. If the Consequently, the potential energy curve is steeper than for a hannonic oscillator, as the
.T.then J.l and II figure also shows. The deviations found in the curve for a real molecule from that resulting
s is known as from the hannonic oscillator approximation are due to mechanical anhannonicity.
:oncerned with A molecule may show both electrical and mechanical anhannonicity, but the latter is
~. One effect of generally much more important and it is usual to define a hannonic oscillator as one which is
spectroscopy to hannonic in the mechanical sense. It is possible, therefore, that a hannonic oscillator may
licity is usually show electrical anhannonicity.
'S of ~v = 2, One effect of mechanical anhannonicity is to modify the ~v = I infrared and Raman
selection rule to ~v = l, 2, 3, ... , but the overtone transitions with ~v = 2, 3, '"
are usually weak compared with those with ~v = l. Since electrical anhannonicity also
has this effect both types of anhannonicity may contribute to overtone intensities.
However, unlike electrical anhannonicity, mechanical anhannonicity modifies the
vibrational tenn values and wave functions. The hannonic oscillator tenn values of
:1ely hannonic, Equation (6.3) are modified to a power series in (v + !):
,-gy' levels and
ational motion
easonable only G(v) = we(v +!) - weXe(v +!i + weYe(v + W+ ... (6.16)
144 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

where We is the vibration wavenumber which a classical oscillator would have for an Ans\\ t i

giYe~
infinitesimal displacement from equilibrium. The terms WeX e' weYe, ... are anharmonic
constants and are written in this way, rather than, say, xe' Ye' ... , because earlier authors
wrote Equation (6.16) in the form
PIOttll~; .:
G(v) = We [(v +!) - xe(v + !)2 + Ye(V + !)3 + ... ] (6.17 ) L -.:-;
proce-: ..: c
The reason for the negative sign in the second term of the expansion is that the constant WeX e
has the same sign for all diatomic molecules and, when the negative sign is included, wex e is
always positive. Further terms in the expansion may be positive or negative.
There is a rapid decrease in value along the series We' WeX e' WeYe' .... For example, for
IH 35 Cl, we = 2990.946 em-I, wexe = 52.8186 cm-\ weYe = 0.2244 em-I, weze = The ..:.
- 0.0122 em - I. The effect of the positive value of wex e is to close up the energy levels
with increasing v. The corresponding energy levels are compared with those of a harmonic
oscillator with constant separation in Figure 6.4. The anharmonic oscillator levels converge
E,,:-c:-:~-.~
to the dissociation limit De above which there is a continuum of levels.
One effect of the modification to the harmonic oscillator term values is that, unlike the lc\e: .,:-:'
case of the harmonic oscillator, we cannot be measured directly. Wavenumbers L1Gv+ I / 2 for
(v + 1) - v transitions 2 are given by

L1Gv + I / 2 = G(v + 1) - G(v) = we - w ex e(2v + 2) + w eYe(3v 2 + 6v + If) + ... (6.18) If ali .,:-~.:.;

(EquJ:~':-' (
In order to determine, say, We and WeX e' at least two transition wavenumbers, for example line 111 F':1
G(l) - G(O) = Wo and G(2) - G(l) = WlJ must be obtained. extrar t ' . ' : : : '
The dissociation energy De is given approximately by and the .:r'
plots ce\ :3
W~ \-alue t':- L
De :::: 4w x (6.19)
ee E"re:-_:I
inff3rec .:'
the approximation being due to the neglect of all anharmonic constants other than WeX e.

Worked example 6.1

Question. From the following separations of vibrational levels in the ground electronic state
of CO obtain values of we and WeX e and also an approximate value for the dissociation energy
De:

v'-v" 1-0 2-1 3-2 4-3 5-4 6-5

[G(v + 1) - G(v)l/cm- I 2143.1 2116.1 2088.9 2061.3 2033.5 2005.5

2 Note that the upper state quantum number of a transition is given first and the lower state quantum Figure ~
[) . -c.'::1
number second.
 6.1 DIATOMIC MOLECULES 145

would have for an Answer. Using Equation (6.18) and neglecting the term involving weYe, and higher terms,
. .. are anharmonic gives
ause earlier authors
G(v + I) - G(v) = we - 2w ex e(v + 1)
Plotting G(v + I) - G(v) against (v + I) gives a straight line of slope -2wex e and intercept we'
(6.17)
Using a computer programme for a fit of data to a straight line. with a least squares
procedure, gives
at the constant wexe
is included, WeXe is
we = 217I.l 0.4 cm 1
ilriYe.
.. For example, for WeX e = 13.8 0.1 cm 1
'.. cm - I , wez =
,- e The uncertainties given here are the standard deviations.
~ the energy levels
oose of a harmonic
[or levels converge
Experimentally the dissociation energy can be measured only relative to the zero-point
that, unlike the
, is level and is symbolized by Do. It is clear from Figure 6.4 that
mbers L1Gv+ 1/ 2 for
Do = L L1Gv+ 1/ 2 (6.20)
I'

-'il+ ... (6.18)

If all anharmonic constants except wexe are neglected, L1 Gv+ 1/2 is a linear function of v
Ilbers. for example
(Equation 6.18) and Do is the area under a plot of L1Gv+ 1/ 2 versus v shown by a dashed +!'
line in Figure 6.5. In many cases only the first few L1G values can be observed and a linear
extrapolation to L1GV+ 1/ 2 = 0 has to be made. This is called a Birge-Sponer extrapolation
and the area under the extrapolated plot gives an approximate value for Do. However, most
plots deviate considerably from linearity at high v in the way shown in Figure 6.5, so that the
(6.19) value of Do is usually an overestimate.
Experimental values of L1GV+ 1/ 2 for high values of v are not normally obtainable from
infrared or Raman spectroscopy because of the low intensities of L1v = 2, 3, ...
other than (J)exe'

:I electronic state
.sociation energy ~
~

+
d'
<l
~ .........
6-5 ",
",
2005.5 ",
"
'"
v+1/2

~'er state quantum Figure 6.5 A Birge-Sponer extrapolation (dashed line) for determining the dissociation energy,
Do, relative to the zero-point leveL The actual points lie on the solid line in a typical case
146 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

transitions and low populations of excited vibrational energy levels. Information on higher
vibrational levels is obtained mostly from electronic emission spectroscopy (Chapter 7).
The dissociation energy De is unaffected by isotopic substitution because the potential
energy curve, and therefore the force constant, is not affected by the number of neutrons in
the nucleus. However, the vibrational energy levels are changed by the mass dependence of
W (proportional to /1-1/Z where Ji is the reduced mass) resulting in Do being isotope
dependent. Do is smaller than De by the zero-point energy. The term value G(O),
corresponding to the zero-point energy, is given by

G(O) = !we - tWexe + kWe Ye + ... (6.21)

For example, we for zH z is less than that for 1Hz so that

DoCZHz) > DoeH z) (6.22)

An important consequence of the isotope-dependence of Do is that, if a chemical reaction

involves bond dissociation in a rate-determining step, the rate of reaction is decreased by
substitution of a heavier isotope at either end of the bond. Because of the relatively large
effect on Do, substitution of zH for 1H is particularly effective in reducing the reaction rate.
Owing to the effects of mechanical anharmonicity - to which we shall refer in future Figure 6.4
line, I :-,:~ .
simply as anharmonicity since we encounter electrical anharmonicity much less frequently
SeparJLc'~' 1
the vibrational wave functions are also modified compared with those of a harmonic
oscillator. Figure 6.6 shows some wave functions and probability density functions (t/!:t/!j
Z
for an anharmonic oscillator. The asymmetry in t/! v and (t/!:t/! J , compared with the 6.1.4 J'ibrat
harmonic oscillator wave functions in Figure 1.13, increases their magnitude on the shallow
side of the potential curve compared with the steep side. 6.104.1 Illfra,
In 1929 Morse suggested
We hJ\<:? :
with J::
Vex) = De[l - exp( -ax)f (6.23) rotatl,':~.J.,

\ibr:ll:0:-.
le\c~~ .:~:
as a useful potential function relating to the behaviour of an anharmonic oscillator. In the \ibr J::,':.:
Morse function x = r - re, and a and De are constants characteristic of a particular samr.<:? '.5
electronic state of the molecule; here, the ground electronic state. For this function ga~ r:.l~
Vex) ~ De as x ~ 00, as it should do. On the other hand, as r ~ 0 (i.e. as x ~ -re) Vex) \\C..c:.
becomes large but not infinite. This deficiency in the Morse function is not as serious as it gl\ c:. ~~~

might seem since the region where r ~ 0 is of little experimental importance. The \lbr':::":1
vibrational term values which follow from the Morse function involve terms in only (v +!)
and (v + !)z but, although the function is limited in its quantitative use, its ease of
manipulation accounts for its sustained popularity compared with more accurate, but much
more complex, functions.
 6.1 DIATOMIC MOLECULES 147

Infonnation on higher
roscopy (Chapter 7).
1 because the potential
number of neutrons in v= 3 ; J I~ 1\ 1 \ . v=2
tie mass dependence of ..
in Do being isotope _ f-fe r< w. 'f > ..... I f-fe
be tenn value G( 0 J. -0.5 ~
, ,I
I
a jl \ 0.5 ,/1.oA
I
I
,,
-0.5 b, , 0.5
I
I
I
I
.I
1.oA
: I
\ ,
I

., ,,,
I
I I
I , '
,
, I
I ~ , ' I
' , I ' I

(6.21 ) I
\,
, "
" I

,I
I
I
'f\
,

v=1 /1 \ "
v= 0

.
I

(6.22) f-fe I -'L I \..: ... f-fe

-0.5 0', 09 A -0.5 0 0.5A
I
I
, I

r a chemical reaction I
,
I

:non is decreased by
.,
I
,
I

{the relatively large

:ing the reaction rate.
shall refer in future
uch less frequently _
k>Se of a hannonic
y functions (l/J:l/JY
compared with the
6.1.4
itude on the shallow
6.1.4.1
"
Figure 6.6 Wave functions 1/Iu (dashed lines) and probability density functions (1/I~1/Iv)2 (solid
lines) for v = 0 to 3 for an anhannonic oscillator; T is the internuclear separation; Te is the internuclear
separation in the equilibrium configuration
Vibration-rotation spectroscopy
Infrared spectra

(6.23 )
ic oscillator. In the
ic of a particular
For this function
as x ~ -re ) Vex)
!lOt as serious as it
importance. The
ms in only (v +!)
use, its ease of
ccurate, but much
We have seen in Section 5.2.1.4 that there is a stack of rotational energy levels associated
willi all vibrational levels. In rotational spectroscopy we observe transitions between
rotational energy levels associated with the same vibrational level (usually v = 0). In
vibration-rotation spectroscopy we observe transitions between stacks of rotational energy
levels associated willi two different vibrational levels. These transitions accompany all
vibrational transitions but, whereas vibrational transitions may be observed even when the
sample is in the liquid or solid phase, llie rotational transitions may be observed only in the
gas phase at low pressure and usually in an absorption process.
When a molecule has both vibrational and rotational energy the total tenn values S are
given by the sum of the rotational tenn values Fu(J), given in Equation (5.23), and the
vibrational term values G(v), given in Equation (6.16):
S = G(v) + F/J)
= we(v +!) - wexe(v + !)2 + ... + BvJ(J + 1) Dv J2(J + Ii (6.24)
148 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

1.0 - -
J'
7
0.8
6 I i i 1 I I J
V'
5

4
I
<)
g 0.6
3 ~

T?3 ...c
~

1lTlTTT , l/lltfl-T '"

0 I'
I I
I
,
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I I
I I I
I I
I I
I I
I
I
I , I
I

,
I

I
I

I
I

I
M

~1lIl'
I

I
I

~
I

:
I

:
I

: i
I ~
-< OA
J"
7
I
0.:

: I I I I V"

4
3
01
T-;7 R(6) j(4}t(2)t(0)P(1)t(3)1(5)t (7) 8(5) I (3) t (1) , 0(0) 0(2) 1 (4) 1 (6) ,

o R(5) (3) (1) P(2) (4)(6) 8(4) (2) (0) 0(3) (5) (7)
(a) (b)

Figure 6.7 Rotational transitions accompanying a vibrational transition in (a) an infrared spectrum Figure 6.8
and (b) a Raman spectrum of a diatomic molecule rotallOL: -::

Figure 6.7(a) illustrates the rotational energy levels associated with two vibrational levels d transitlc':~ '.!

(upper) and v" (lower) between which a vibrational transition is allowed by the ~v = l abund~1:'.~c

selection rule. The rotational selection rule governing transitions between the two stacks of due tCl H

levels is It is ~:c J..

corrcsp,-';.c
~J = l (6.25) R-bran"::l :1
first R- :::-.J
giving an R branch (~J = + 1) and a P branch (~J = -1). Each transition is labelled R(J)
zero gJ::' .:J
or P(J), where J is understood to represent J", the J value of the lower state. The fact that
The .::':'
~ J = 0 is forbidden means that the pure vibrational transition is not observed. The position
Yibra tlc':~ -I
at which it would occur is known as the band centre. Exceptions to this selection rule are
molecules such as nitric oxide, which have an electronic angular momentum in the ground
B1 = B =
electronic state. The rotational selection rule for such a molecule is
"[Rt) I:. :::
~J=O,l (6.26)

and the (J' = 0) - (J" = 0) transition, the first line of the Q branch (~J = 0), marks the
band centre. \\herc
More usual is the kind of vibration-rotation band shown in Figure 6.8. This spectrum was of the .J-:
obtained with an interferometer having a resolution of 0.5 em - I and shows the v = 1-0

3Because the line width is much less than the resolution this ratio is not reflected in the peak heights in
Figure 6.8.
 149

w
V'

,
,
,,

R P(8)
-
V"

0.0 f--'--c,L-Jl-JL.JL.JL~/LJL...I

35b~CI
6) I
i7)
3100 3000 2900 2800 2700 2600
1
VVavenurnber/crn
ar. mfrared spectrum
Figure 6.8 The v = 1-0 infrared spectrum of IH 35 Cl and IH 37 Cl showing the P- and R-branch
rotational structure

lbrational levels v' transition in IH35 Cl and IH 37 CL The 35Cl and 37 C l isotopes occur naturally with a 3: 1
d by the Llv= l abundance ratio. 3 The band due to I H 37 Cl is displaced to low wavenumber relative to that
I the two stacks of 35
due to IH Cl because of the larger reduced mass (see Equation 6.2).
It is clear from Figure 6.8 that the band for each isotope is fairly symmetrical about the
corresponding band centre and that there is approximately equal spacing between adjacent
(6.25)
R-branch lines and between adjacent P-branch lines, with twice this spacing between the
)D is labelled R(J) first R- and P-branch lines, R(O) and P(l). This spacing between R(O) and P(l) is called the
;[ale.The fact that zero gap and it is in this region where the band centre falls.
rwd. The position The approximate symmetry of the band is due to the fact that B] ::: Bo; that is, the
selection rule are vibration-rotation interaction constant (Equation 5.25) is small. If we assume that
urn in the ground B, = B o = B and neglect centrifugal distortion the wavenumbers of the R-branch transitions,
v[R(J)], are given by

(6.26) v[R(J)] = Wo + B(J + 1)(J + 2) - BJ(J + 1)

r = 0), marks the = W o + 2BJ + 2B (6.27)

his spectrum was where Wo is the wavenumber of the pure vibrational transition. Similarly, the wavenumbers
lOWS the v = 1-0
of the P-branch transitions, v[P(J)], are given by

the peak heights in

v[P(J)] = W o + B(J - 1)J - BJ(J + 1)
= Wo - 2BJ (6.28)
150 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

From Equations (6.27) and (6.28) it follows that the zero gap, v[R(O)] - v[P(l)], is 4B and :\n: ~:-:c~

that the spacing is 2B between adjacent R-branch lines and also between adjacent P-branch Ii - 7 1 :::-.i;'
lines, hence the approximate symmetry of the band. term \3.._': ,

A close look at Figure 6.8 reveals that the band is not quite symmetrical but shows a
convergence in the R branch and a divergence in the P branch. This behaviour is due
principally to the inequality of B o and 8 1 and there is sufficient information in the band to be
and
able to determine these two quantities separately. The method used is called the method of
combination differences which employs a principle quite common in spectroscopy. The
principle is that, if we wish to derive information about a series oflower states and a series of
upper states, between which transitions are occurring, then differences in wavenumber .-\ grarr, 0:
between transitions with a common upper state are dependent on properties of the lower [or. ~lT:'::;~
states only. Similarly, differences in wavenumber between transitions with a common lower graph 0:' ..\
state are dependent on properties of the upper states only. 1:- 3 \
In the case of a vibration-rotation band it is clear from Figure 6.7(a) that, since R(O) and vibral:0:,,-1
P(2) have a common upper state with J' = I, then v[R(O)] - v[P(2)] must be a function of and J. :,'':'
B" only. The transitions R(l) and P(3) have l ' = 2 in common and, in general, Tt.: ~:,"j:'
v[R(l - I)] - v[P(l + I)], usually written as I1.~F(1),4 is a function of B" only. If we gO\-cr:--~~
continue to neglect centrifugal distortion the function is given by gl\ln,:

I1.~F(l) = v[R(l - I)] - v[P(l + I)]

= (1)0+ B'l(l + I) - B"(l - 1)1
- [(1)0 + B'l(l + I) - B"(l + 1)(1 + 2)]
as 10: r~
= 4B"(1 +!) (6.29)

After assignment and measurement of the wavenumbers of the rotational lines a graph of
6.1..1.2 Ram
I1.~F(l) versus (1 +!) is a straight line of slope 4B".
Similarly, since all pairs of transitions R(J) and pel) have common lower states,
The ,0W'
v[R(l)] - v[P(l)] is a function of B' only and we have
1~

I1.;F(l) = v[R(l)] - v[P(l)]

= (1)0+ B'(l + 1)(1 + 2) - B"l(l + 1)
gl\ Ir.:; J
- [(1)0 + B'(l - 1)J - B"l(l + 1)]
6.-' "',
= 4B' (1 +!) (6.30)

D
and a graph of I1.;F(J) versus (1 + is a straight line of slope 48'.
The band centre is not quite midway between R(O) and P( 1) but its wavenumber (1)0 can be
obtained from

(1)0 = v[R(O)] - 2B' (6.31 )

= v[P(l)] + 2B"

4 The reason for the subscript 2 in the I1~F(J) symbol is that these are the differences between
rotational term values, in a particular vibrational state, with J differing by 2.
 6.1 DIATOMIC MOLECULES 151

V[P(1)], is 4B and Any effects of centrifugal distortion will show up as slight curvature of the /1 2 F(J) versus
adjacent P-branch (J +~) graphs. If the tenn -DJ 2(J + 1)2 is included, as in Equation (6.24), in the rotational
tenn value expression we get
lrical but shows a
behaviour is due /1~F(J) = (4B" - 6D")(J +~) - 8D"(J + 1)3 (6.32)
1 in the band to be
led the method of and
ipeCtroscopy. The
:tes and a series of /1;F(J) = (4B' - 6D')(J +~) - 8D'(J + 1)3 (6.33)
i in wavenumber
rties of the lower 1)
A graph of /1~F(J)/(J + versus (J + ~)2 is a straight line of slope 8D" and intercept 48"
a common lower [or, strictly, (4B" - 6D"), but 6D" may be too small to affect the intercept]. Similarly, a
graph of /1;F(J)/(J +~) versus (J + 1)2 is a straight line of slope 8D' and intercept 4B'.
Il.since R(O) and If Bv can be obtained for at least two vibrational levels, say B o and B 1, then Be and the
be a function of vibration-rotation interaction constant tI. can be obtained from Equation (5.25). Values for Be
md. in general, and tI., together with other constants, are given for IH35 Cl in Table 6.2.
. B only. If we The intensity distribution among rotational transitions in a vibration-rotation band is
governed principally by the Boltzmann distribution of population among the initial states,
giving

NJ"
No = (2J1I + l)exp [ _ hCBIJ:~" + 1)] (6.34)

(6.29) as for pure rotational transitions (Equation 5.15).

tines a graph of
6.1.4.2 Raman spectra
n lower states,
The rotational selection rule for vibration-rotation Raman transitions in diatomic molecules
is

/1J = 0, 2 (6.35)

giving a Q (/1J = 0), an S (/1J = +2) and an 0 (/1J = -2) branch, as shown in Figure
(6.30) 6.7(b).

35
Table 6.2 Rotational and vibrational constants for IH CI
nber (J)o can be
v=o v = I

B o = 10.440254 cm- 1 B 1 = 10.136228 cm- 1

(6.31)
D o=5.2828 x 10- 4 cm- 1 D 1 =5.2157 x 10- 4 cm- 1

Wo (for V= 1-0 transition) = 2885.9775 cm- 1

B e = 10.59342 cm- 1

rences between tl. e =0.30718 cm

1
152 6 VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

Q
Fe', ~:'-

5(4) 5(8) and :','- ,

0(10) 0(6)

5(12)
0(14)

I I jCYJ 5t I 5 6
1 (1 \ For J:-. ' ~

I
2040
I
2080
I
2120
i
2160
I
2200
I
2240 2280
, r ..

~v/cm-1

Figure 6.9 The 1-0 Stokes vibrational Raman spectrum of CO showing the 0-, Q-, and S-branch
rotational structure
JI~L~

Figure 6.9 shows the resulting rotational structure ofthe v = 1-0 Stokes Raman transition
of CO. The approximate symmetry of the band is due, as in the infrared vibration-rotation
spectrum, to the fact that B I :::: Bo. If we assume that B I = Bo = B then the wavenumbers
v[S(1)J, v[ O(J)J and v[Q(J)] of the S-, 0- and Q-branch lines, respectively, are given by

v[S(J)J = Wo + B(J + 2)(J + 3) - BJ(J + 1) (6.36)

\ Ic':': .:;,
= Wo +4BJ + 6B
centr, :~::"
v[O(J)J = Wo + B(J - 2)(1 - 1) - BJ(J + I) (6.37) \(0 1
j, ,F'
= Wo -4BJ + 2B

v[Q(J)] = (00 (6.38)

The Q-branch lines are coincident in this approximation. The separation of the first S-branch S 11~~.
line S(O) and the first O-branch line 0(2) is 12B and the separation of adjacent S-branch Jlh:
lines and of adjacent O-branch lines is 4B.

Worked example 6.2

p c,~- !
Question. For IH35 CI, the rotational constantBo = 10.44 cm- 1 and B) = 10.13 cm- 1 for the
..
~.'--< ~~
v = 0 and I vibrational levels, respectively, and the separation of these vibrational levels, (0o, is
'-,.;:
2886.04 cm - 1. Calculate the wavenumbers of the first two members of each of the 0 and S
::"'~\:" ~.J
branches in the Raman vibration-rotation spectrum.

" ....
-~.

~,--':_~:.~(:
Answer:

;:: - J
For an 0 branch, I1J = -2.

 6.1 DIATOMIC MOLECULES 153

... For the first line, J" = 2 (lower state) and J' = 0 (upper state)
... v[O(2)] = 0)0 + B'J'(J' + I) - B"J"(J" + I)
= 0)0 + 0 - 6Bo
= 2823.40 cm- 1

and, for the second line, J" =3 and J' = 1

I ~1'2Ij .
... v[O(3)] = 0)0 + 2B] - 12Bo
= 2781.02 em-I

~
For an S branch, /j,J = +2.
... For the first line, J" = 0 and J' = 2
., I 1
24Q 2280
... v[S(O)] = 0)0 + B'J'lJ' + I) - B"J"(J" + 1)
= 0)0 + 6B I - 0
". Q-. and S-branch
= 2946.82 cm- J

and, for the second line, J" = 1 and J' = 3

Raman transition
ibration-rotation ... v[S(l)] = 0)0 + 12B J - 2B o
Ie wavenumbers
= 2986.72 em-I
are given by

(6.36)
More accurately, we can use the method of combination differences, while still neglecting
centrifugal distortion, to obtain B I ' and B I . Transitions having wavenumbers v[S(J - 2)] and
(6.37) v[O(J + 2)] have a common upper state so that the corresponding combination difference
tJ.~F(J) is a function of B only:
II

(6.38)
tJ.~F(J) = v[S(J - 2)] - v[O(J + 2)] = 8BII (J +!) (6.39)
~ first S-branch
cent S-branch Similarly, transitions having wavenumbers v[S(J)] and v[O(J)] have a common lower state
and

tJ.~F(J) = v[S(J)] - v[O(J)] = 8B'(J +!) (6.40)

n- I for the t)
Plotting a graph of tJ.~F(J) versus (J + and tJ.~F(J) versus (J + gives straight lines with !)
~els. UJo, is slopes 8BII and 8BI , respectively.
le 0 and S Nuclear spin statistical weights were discussed in Section 5.3.4 and the effects on the
populations of the rotational levels in the v = 0 states of 1Hz , J9 Fb zH z, J4Nz and J60Z
illustrated as examples in Figure 5.18. The effect of these statistical weights in the vibration
rotation Raman spectra is to cause a J" even: odd intensity alternation of 1 : 3 for I Hz and
19Fz and 6: 3 for zH z and 14Nz ; for 160Z, all transitions with J" even are absent. It is for the
154 6 VlBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY

purposes of Raman spectra of such homonuclear diatomics that the's' or 'a' labels. In .:<:- '::'j:'

indicating symmetry or antisymmetry of the rotational wave function t/J r with respect to the mok'::L,", ,,3

interchange of nuclei, are attached to the rotational energy levels in Figure 5.18. QuJ.n:l.:~' :-:-..
\1br31:'::':-':', :.
dcgc71~~ .::-:.

6.2 Polyatomic molecules

6.2.1 Group vibrations
\\her"
\\hld~ C'::1
An N-atomic molecule has 3N - 5 normal modes of vibration if it is linear, and 3N - 6 if it
de2er.":-
- ':C\.
is non-linear: these expressions were derived in Section 4.3.1.
Classically, we can think of the vibrational motions of a molecule as being those of a set

of balls representing the nuclei, of various masses, connected by Hooke's law springs

representing the various forces acting between the nuclei. Such a model for the H 20

molecule is illustrated in Figure 6.10. The stronger forces between the bonded and H

,-\~ :'c'- .: ~
nuclei are represented by strong springs which provide resistance to stretching the bonds.
R:lTIL:', '.: ':J
The weaker force between the non-bonded hydrogen nuclei is represented by a weaker

spring which provides resistance to an increase or decrease of the HOH angle.

Even with this simple model it is clear that if one of the nuclei is given a sudden

displacement it is very likely that the whole molecule will undergo a very complicated

motion, a Lissajous motion, consisting of a mixture of angle-bending and bond-stretching. for c.:c:-. ','
The Lissajous motion can always be broken down into a combination of the so-called wh,,'. .:.cc,:
normal vibrations of the system which, in the Lissajous motion, are superimposed in varying In .:<jJ
proportions. \ibrJ::"nJ
Fundj:-:~cl
A normal mode of vibration is one in which all the nuclei undergo harmonic motion, have
the same frequency of oscillation and move in phase but generally with different amplitudes. \' :.Hc :,IU
Fl.-I:' \ 1~
Examples of such normal modes 5 are VI to v3 of H 2 0, shown in Figure 4.15, and V\ to V4b of
NH3 shown in Figure 4.17. The arrows attached to the nuclei are vectors representing the
reqUl:-c:TI,
relative amplitudes and directions of motion.

The form of the normal vibrations may be obtained from a knowledge of the bond lengths

and angles and of the bond-stretching and angle-bending force constants, which are a

measure of the strengths of the various springs in the ball-and-spring model. However, the

calculations are complex and will not be considered here: useful references are given in the

bibliography.

H~H
Figure 6.10 Ball-and-spring model of H 2 0
Figure
\ :-:-:--.:::('1
5 For the vibrational numbering scheme, see Chapter 4, footnote 4 (page 93).