Chloromethyl-oxirane and chloromethyl-thiirane in liquid phase: a joint experimental and quantum chemical study

The X-ray diffraction spectra of liquid chloromethyl-oxirane (ClMO) and chloromethyl-thiirane (ClMT) have been recorded for the first time. The interpretation of X-ray measurements was based on ab initio molecular dynamics simulations at finite temperature conditions. Both liquids show conformational equilibrium, which is discussed in terms of Gauche-2, Gauche-1 and Cis structures. The occurrence of the various forms estimated from X-ray and AIMD data has been compared with spectroscopy data from the literature, with the FTIR spectra of the liquids newly recorded in this work, and with theoretical in vacuo calculations. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.