Vibrational correlation splitting and chain packing for the crystalline n-alkanes

Abstract

Vibrational correlation‐splitting patterns for the infrared active methylene rocking–twisting fundamentals of the orthorhombic and monoclinic n‐alkanes have been determined and analyzed. Polarization measurements show that the splitting patterns are different for the two structures. A simple two parameter coupled oscillator model accounts for the observed shapes of the c axis dispersion curves. It is suggested that the results of this analysis may be useful in establishing the type of packing involved in crystals containing long‐chain hydrocarbon molecules.