Ab initio anharmonic force field and equilibrium structure of propene

Abstract

The quadratic, cubic and semi-diagonal quartic force field of propene has been calculated at the MP2 level of theory employing a basis set of triple-ζ quality. A semi-experimental equilibrium structure has been derived from experimental ground state rotational constants and rovibrational interaction parameters calculated from the ab initio force field. This structure is in excellent agreement with the ab initio structure calculated at the CCSD(T) level of theory using a basis set of quintuple-ζ quality and a core correlation correction. The experimental mass-dependent r m structures are also determined and their accuracy is discussed. The use of isolated CH stretching frequencies is shown to be a good method to determine CH bond length.