The structures and vibrational spectra of methyl chloroformate and dimethyl carbonate

Abstract

The infrared spectra of methyl chloroformate and dimethyl carbonate in the vapour phase and as solutions in carbon disulphide and carbon tetrachloride have been obtained from 4000 to 400 cm^-1 together with the Raman spectra of the liquids. The infrared band contours for both molecules are consistent with a cis configuration of the carboxylate group and the spectra may be interpreted satisfactorily on this basis.