Quantum mechanical and spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 1H NMR and UV) investigations of 2-(phenoxymethyl)benzimidazole

•IR, Raman spectra and NBO analysis were reported.•The wavenumbers are calculated theoretically using Gaussian09 software.•The wavenumbers are assigned using PED analysis.•The geometrical parameters are in agreement with that of similar compounds.

The optimized molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, corresponding vibrational assignments of 2-(phenoxymethyl)benzimidazole have been investigated experimentally and theoretically using Gaussian09 software package. The energy and oscillator strength calculated by time dependent density functional theory results almost compliments with experimental findings. Gauge-including atomic orbital 1H NMR chemical shifts calculations were carried out and compared with experimental data. The HOMO and LUMO analysis is used to determine the charge transfer within the molecule. The stability of the molecule arising from hyper-conjugative interaction and charge delocalization has been analyzed using NBO analysis. Molecular Electrostatic Potential was performed by the DFT method and the infrared intensities and Raman activities have also been reported. Mulliken’s net charges have been calculated and compared with the atomic natural charges. First hyperpolarizability is calculated in order to find its role in non-linear optics.

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