Phototransformation studies of halo-substituted cinnamates by Raman spectrometry and quantum-chemical computations

The comprehension of the cinnamic derivative phototransformation mechanisms is particularly important when these molecules are used as addressable photosensitive layers. In this work we show that the halo-substituted cinnamate sensitivity to the phototransformation is a function of the excitation wavelength and the substituent nature and position. With this intention, we underline the existence of various isomers and rotatomers by Raman spectroscopy and we assign the observed vibrational modes with the help of quantum-chemical calculations. These various aspects of our work clarify the relative roles of the steric, inductive and mesomeric effects according to the considered substitution.