Spectroscopic investigation and vibrational analysis of paraldehyde by FTIR and laser Raman techniques

Paraldehyde is a trimer of acetaldehyde formed from this under acid catalysis. It falls under the broad classification of the sedative hypnotics used as anti-convulsant in eplepticus and tetanus. The work presents vibrational band analysis on the molecular structure of the compound paraldehyde through infrared and Raman spectral measurements. Normal coordinate analysis has been carried out with a new set of symmetry coordinates to obtain the molecular force field of the system based on C-3V point group symmetry. Potential energy distribution evaluated for all the normal modes of vibration, confirm that the chosen set of vibrational frequencies contribute maximum to the potential energy associated with the normal coordinates of the molecule.