Theoretical and infrared studies on the conformations of monofluorophenols

► The conformational analysis of 2- and 3-fluorophenol was performed in solution. ► The infrared band intensities were used to determine the conformer preferences. ► Dipolar repulsion dictates the stability of the cis conformer in non-polar medium. ► Intermolecular H-bond takes place in the neat liquid and in acetonitrile solution.