Deconvolution of Fourier transform infrared spectrum of α-D-galactose:: comparison with experimental and theoretical data

Deconvolution of the Fourier transform infrared spectrum of alpha-D-galactose in the 1500-450 cm(-1) range has been performed and a comparison of the deconvolution results with the IR spectrum of the above compound recorded (by using cooled samples as well as with the data of normal coordinate analysis of the alpha-D-galactose molecule in the crystalline state) has been made. A good agreement has been obtained between the results of the IR spectrum deconvolution and the low temperature spectrum, as well as the theoretical data. The splitting of some fundamental vibrational modes into two components has been found, which can be attributed to the result of intermolecular interactions of four molecules of alpha-D-galactose in the crystal cell. The experimental values of the observed splittings for the majority of bands are close to the calculated values of the factor group splitting. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.