Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution involving the torsion in CF3CH3: a molecular dynamics study

Classical trajectory calculations on intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) involving the torsion in 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (TFE) are reported. Two potential energy functions (PEFs) are used to describe the potential energy surface. The "full" PEF gives excellent agreement with the experimental vibrational frequencies. The "simple" PEF omits nondiagonal interaction terms, but still gives very good agreement with the experimental frequencies. The "simple" PEF is intended to minimize mode-mode coupling. Neither PEF includes the HF elimination reaction. Calculations are carried out both with nominal microcanonical selection of initial coordinates and momenta, and with a modified selection method that places controlled amounts of energy in the torsion. Total (classical) vibrational energies from 0.005 to 140 kcal mol(-1) are investigated. The calculated time constants describing energy flow out of the torsional mode are <10 ps for classical vibrational energies near the classical reaction threshold energy (approximately 75 kcal mol(-1)) and greater. It is found that the rate of decay from the torsion largely depends on the amount of energy in the other vibrational modes. Analysis using power spectra shows that the torsional mode in TFE is strongly coupled to the other vibrational modes. These results strongly suggest that vibrational energy in TFE will not be sequestered in the torsion for time periods greater than a few tens of picoseconds when the molecule has enough energy to react via HF elimination.