Abstract
Unbranched \(n\)-alkanes of moderate size prefer an extended all-trans (“zig-zag”) conformation. The chain length at which this preference switches to a folded “hairpin" conformation due to attractive dispersion interactions is a sensitive benchmark for quantum chemical methods. In this thesis, the folding of \(n\)-alkanes is studied by vibrational Raman spectroscopy of cold gaseous \(n\)-alkanes up to a chain length of 21 carbon atoms, prepared in supersonic jet expansions. The first chapter provides a general overview and outlines the structure of the thesis.
My interest in science is to simply find out about the world, and the more I find out the better it is. I like to find out.
Richard Feynman
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The name of the setup is a culinary homage to the Indian discoverer of the Raman-effect, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, and stands for classical unrestricted Raman spectroscopy in a jet.
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Lüttschwager, N.O.B. (2014). Introduction. In: Raman Spectroscopy of Conformational Rearrangements at Low Temperatures. Springer Theses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08566-1_1
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