Theoretical estimates of the IR spectrum of formamide intercalated into kaolinite

摘要

Calculations at PM3 and PBE/6-31G levels of part of the IR spectrum of the formamide-kaolinite intercalatation compound based on a 110-atom cluster of kaolinite with one formamide molecule are reported. Frequencies and intensities for the formamide vibrations and stretchings of four cluster hydroxyls were calculated through partial hessian matrices and polar tensors obtained by numerical differentiation of energy gradients and dipole moment. The formamide molecule attaches to the kaolinite inner surfaces in multiple conformations with its CN bond vector parallel to the surfaces. Hydrogen bonds are formed between the formamide hydrogen atoms (both from NH_2 or CH groups) and the siloxane surface and between the formamide oxygen and nitrogen atoms and the aluminol hydroxyls. The general features of the experimental assignment of the spectrum are confirmed, but the observed splitting of formamide bands is attributed to vibrations from differently attached molecules.