Far-infrared and Raman spectra of polystyrene model molecules

Abstract

Infrared and Raman spectra have been recorded in the region below 420 cm^-1 for the two simplest polystyrene model molecules. Attempts to assign the vibrational absorptions are presented. There are marked changes in the spectra with variations in the conformational structure of the alkyl chain. These changes are discussed in terms of coupling between the out-of-plane 10b mode of the benzene ring and deformation vibrations of trans conformation alkyl chain segments of different lengths.