Normal vibrational analysis of poly(vinylidene chloride)

Normal coordinate calculations have been performed for poly(vinylidene chloride) employing a TXTX′ conformational model (X and X′ denote torsional angles of equal value but opposite sign). A valence force field previously determined from the model compounds 2,2-dichloropropane and 2,2-dichlorobutane was directly transferred to the chain conformation of the polymer. The results are in excellent agreement with the observed vibrational spectra and we have been able to satisfactorily assign all the major normal modes.