Spectroscopic and theoretical study of (CF3SO2)2N- (TFSI-) and (CF3SO2)2NH (HTFSI)

The vibrational properties of the TFSI- anion solvated in a polymer or in water have been studied by comparing its IR and Raman spectra with those of the HTFSI molecule. Ab initio self-consistent field Hartree-Fock calculations have also been performed on the free ion or molecule to investigate their Mulliken charges, equilibrium geometry, and internal force constants. Both experimental and theoretical approaches confirm a pronounced delocalization of the negative charge on the nitrogen and oxygen atoms and a marked double-bond character of the SNS moiety for the anion. This double-bond character is decreased for the HTFSI molecule, leading to rather distinct frequencies for some specific vibrations such as the stretching motions of the SO2 and SNS groups. The agreement between experimental and calculated spectra is much better for HTFSI than for TFSI-. Tentative explanations are proposed for this difference.