Matrix isolation infrared and ab initio studies of the conformations of dimethoxymethylsilane

Conformers of dimethoxymethylsilane were studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy, by trapping it in nitrogen and argon matrixes. In addition to a room temperature effusive source, supersonic and hot nozzle effusive sources were also used to deposit the matrix. These experiments were done to aid assigning the vibrational features, by altering the population of the various conformers in the matrix. As a result of these experiments, the infrared spectral features have been assigned to the ground state conformer, G±G∓ and higher energy conformers, G−G− and G−T. Our experimental observations were supported by computations performed at HF and B3LYP levels using 6-31++G** basis set.