Vibrational Optical Activity of Intermolecular, Overtone, and Combination Bands: 2-Chloropropionitrile and α-Pinene

Spectroscopy of vibrational optical activity has been established as a powerful tool to study molecular structures and interactions. In most cases, only fundamental molecular transitions are analyzed. In the present study, we analyze a broader range of vibrational frequencies (40-4000 cm^-1), which could be measured on a new Raman optical activity (ROA) instrument. An unexpectedly strong vibrational Raman optical activity of 2-chloropropionitrile has been observed within the low-frequency region (40-150 cm^-1). On the basis of combined molecular dynamics and density functional theory simulations, it could be assigned to intermolecular vibrations. A detailed analysis also revealed connection between spectral shapes and molecular structure and flexibility, such as bending of the CCN group. At the other edge of the scale, within ∼1500-4000 cm^-1, for the first time, many combination and overtone ROA bands have been observed for 2-chloropropionitrile and α-pinene. These were also partially assigned, using quantum-chemical computations. The band assignment was confirmed by a comparison with Raman, absorption, and vibrational circular dichroism spectra. The measurement in the broader vibrational range thus significantly extends the information that can be obtained by optical spectroscopy, including intermolecular interactions of chiral molecules and liquids.