A comparative spectroscopic, electronic structure and chemical shift investigations of o-Chloronitrobenzene, p-Chloronitrobenzene and m-Chloronitrobenzene

The structural characteristics and substituent effects of o-Chloronitrobenzene, m-Chloronitrobenzene and p-Chloronitrobenzene have been analysed by experimental FTIR, FT-Raman and FT-NMR spectroscopic studies. A detailed quantum chemical calculations have been performed using DFT/B3LYP method with 6-311++G**, 6-31G** and cc-pVTZ basis sets. Complete vibrational analyses of the compounds were performed. The temperature dependence of thermodynamic properties has been analysed. The atomic charges and charge delocalisation of the molecule have been performed by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Molecular electrostatic surface potential (MESP), total electron density distribution and frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) are constructed at B3LYP/6-311++G** level to understand the electronic properties. The charge density distribution and site of chemical reactivity of the molecules has been obtained by mapping electron density isosurface with electrostatic potential surfaces (ESPs). The electronic properties, HOMO and LUMO energies were measured by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated. The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecules in chloroform solvent were calculated by using the Gauge-Independent Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method and are found to be in good agreement with experimental values.

► Structural characteristics and substituent effects of o-Chloro-, m-Chloro- and p-Chloronitrobenzene have been analysed.
► Energy and thermodynamical characteristics of the compounds were determined.
► Detailed NBO analysis were carried out.
► The electronic properties, electrostatic potential and energy of the frontier molecular orbitals were measured.
► 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded and chemical shifts were calculated by GIAO method.