title: Intramolecular Vibrational Dynamics of the Asymmetric &dbond;CH2 Hydride Stretch of Isobutene.
abstract: The eigenstate-resolved, high-resolution (5 MHz) infrared spectrum of the asymmetric &dbond;CH2 hydride stretch of isobutene has been measured using an electric resonance optothermal spectrometer (EROS). This vibrational band near 3087 cm-1 was rotationally assigned with ground state microwave-infrared double-resonance spectroscopy. IVR rates from rotationally homogeneous IVR multiplets at values of total angular momentum, J ranging from J = 0 to J = 3 and Ka values of Ka = 0 to Ka = 2, were obtained. The average IVR lifetime for this vibrational mode is 105 ps and independent of rotational state. The experimental state density of the rotationless 000 vibrational state, approximately 150 states/cm-1, is in good agreement with the direct count result of 99 states/cm-1 using the C+3 v multiply sign in circle C-3 v (G36) molecular symmetry group. The lineshape profiles of the IVR multiplets are investigated in order to elucidate information concerning the dependence of IVR rates on the symmetry of the torsional wavefunction. We find that there is a common IVR rate among the various torsional symmetries. IVR lifetimes observed in the present study are compared to other asymmetric ethylenic hydride stretch IVR rates measured in our laboratory. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, McCormick Road, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: McWhorter
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Pate