Ab Initio Calculation of Vibrational Absorption and Circular Dichroism Spectra: 6,8-Dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane

Abstract

Predictions of the unpolarized vibrational absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the chiral molecule 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (1) are reported. Harmonic force fields and atomic polar tensors are obtained using the density functional theory (DFT), MP2 and SCF methodologies, and the 3-21G and 6-31G* basis sets. Three functionals, LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP, are used in DFT calculations. Atomic axial tensors are obtained using the Distribution Origin gauge; distributed atomic axial tensors are calculated using gauge-invariant atomic orbitals (GIAOs) at the SCF level of approximation. The quality of the predicted spectra is highly dependent on the methodology and the basis set employed. Spectra calculated using 6-31G* MP2 and DFT/B3LYP force fields are very similar and in excellent agreement with experimental spectra. 6-31G* SCF, DFT/LSDA and DFT/BLYP calculations are in significantly worse agreement with experiment, as are 3-21G MP2 and DFT/B3LYP calculations. When both accuracy and ...