Knowledge Bank

Infrared and Raman spectra of chlorine heptoxide, $Cl2O7$ will be presented and discussed. Assignment of the fundamental frequencies to the normal modes has been made under $C2$ symmetry. Of particular interest is the assignment of the skeletal motions. In this regard, we have observed a polarized band at $161cm-1$ in the liquid Raman spectrum which we assign to the skeletal bending mode. A revision of previously published asignments for the skeletal stretching modes also appears to be necessary on the basis of Raman polarization measurements. The results of a normal coordinate analysis of $Cl2O7$ Will also be presented, and a comparison with the triatomic molecule $Cl2O$ will be discussed.