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A Parameter to Quantify Molecular Quasilinearity
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1976
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EngineeringComputational ChemistryChemistrySpectra-structure CorrelationVibronic InteractionParameter γ 0Molecular SimulationComputational BiochemistryA Simple ParameterPhysicsMolecular QuasilinearityPhysical ChemistryMolecular MechanicQuantum ChemistryMolecular ChemistryNatural SciencesBent MoleculesChemical ThermodynamicsComputational Biophysics
Abstract A simple parameter is proposed for expressing the quasilinearity of molecules in a quantitative way. The parameter γ 0 is defined on the basis of a discussion of the separation of variables in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The parameter γ 0 assumes the value +1 for bent molecules and -1 for linear molecules. The range from -1 to +1 traces the transition of a vibrational degree of freedom in the linear configuration of a polyatomic molecule into a rotational degree of freedom in the bent configuration. The sequence of molecules along this parameter is shown and model calculations are carried out to further illustrate the physical interpretation of the parameter.