Conformational dependence of Raman frequencies and intensities in alkanes and polyethylene

Abstract Raman vibrational frequencies and intensities of octane, dodecane and hexadecane conformers have been calculated using quantum mechanical ab initio methods. The results agree with various trends observed in the experimental spectra of alkanes, as well as several observations from the experimental Raman spectra of polyethylenes. The present data suggest that ab initio calculated Raman data on alkanes provide valuable information regarding the interpretation of polymer Raman spectra, in particular concerning issues where interpretation based on experimental verification is not possible.