Lowest energy vibrational modes of some naphthalene derivatives: Azulene, quinoline, isoquinoline – Experiment and theory

Far infrared (FIR) gas phase absorption spectra of azulene, quinoline and isoquinoline have been recorded using a Fourier transform Bruker IFS125 interferometer at medium resolution (0.5 cm−1). Assignments of these weak vibrational bands were performed using density-functional theory calculations carried out at the harmonic and anharmonic levels. Agreement between observed and calculated band positions is better than 5% for azulene and 1% for quinoline and isoquinoline. The relative band intensities are also correctly predicted. Molecular structure dependence of the FIR spectra is discussed based on the comparative study of three selected FIR modes.