Synthesis, molecular conformation, vibrational and electronic transition, isometric chemical shift, polarizability and hyperpolarizability analysis of 3-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-nitro-phenyl)-acrylonitrile: A combined experimental and theoretical analysis

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel compound, 3-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-nitro-phenyl)-acrylonitrile (abbreviated as 3-(4MP)-2-(4-NP)-AN, C16H12N2O3). The spectroscopic properties of the compound were examined by FT-IR, UV–vis and NMR (1H and 13C) techniques. FT-IR spectrum in solid state was observed in the region 4000–400 cm−1. The UV–vis absorption spectrum of the compound which dissolved in chloroform was recorded in the range of 200–800 nm. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded in CDCl3 solution. To determine lowest-energy molecular conformation of the title molecule, the selected torsion angle is varied every 10° and molecular energy profile is calculated from 0° to 360°. The structural and spectroscopic data of the molecule in the ground state were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) employing B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set. The dipole moment, linear polarizability and first hyperpolarizability values were also computed using the same basis set. A study on the electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies, were performed by time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) approach. The HOMO and LUMO analysis were used to elucidate information regarding charge transfer within the molecule. The vibrational wavenumbers were calculated and scaled values were compared with experimental FT-IR spectrum. The complete assignments were performed on the basis of the experimental results and total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes, calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. Isotropic chemical shifts were calculated using the gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) method. Comparison of the calculated frequencies, NMR chemical shifts, absorption wavelengths with the experimental values revealed that DFT and TD-DFT method produce good results. The linear polarizabilities and first hyperpolarizabilities of the studied molecule indicate that the title compound can be used as a good nonlinear optical material. The thermodynamic properties of the studied compound at different temperatures were calculated, revealing the correlations between standard heat capacity, standard entropy, standard enthalpy changes and temperatures.

A novel compound, 3-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-nitro-phenyl)-acrylonitrile, was synthesized. The spectroscopic properties of the compound were examined by FT-IR, UV and NMR (1H and 13C) techniques. The linear polarizabilities and first hyperpolarizabilities of the studied molecule indicate that the compounds are good candidates of nonlinear optical materials.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The new compound 3-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-nitro-phenyl)-acrylonitrile) was synthesized.
► The spectroscopic properties of the compound were examined by FT-IR, UV and NMR (1H and 13C) techniques and DFT/B3LYP method.
► Isotropic chemical shifts (13C NMR and 1H NMR) were calculated using the gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) method.
► The electronic properties, absorption wavelength and excitation energies, were performed by time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) approach.