Raman spectroscopy of unbranched hexenyl methyl ethers containing a terminal methoxy group

The Raman spectra of six isomeric hexenyl methyl ethers in which the alkenyl chain is unbranched and has a terminal methoxy group are reported and discussed. A well-defined and analytically useful correlation is found between the stereochemistry of the double bond and the wavenumber of the ν(CC) stretching vibration. Confirmation of the stereochemistry of the double bond and its location within the alkyl chain is accessible from the number and wavenumber of the ν(sp2CH) stretching bands. In addition, the nature of the double bond in the hexenyl chain is observed to exert an influence on several deformation and skeletal modes. These trends allow the assignment of Raman bands to vibrational modes to be refined or corrected. The implications of this study on model compounds for larger molecules of biological significance in which an alkenyl group is present are considered.