Comparison between IR absorption and Raman scattering spectra of liquid and supercritical 1-butanol

Raman spectra of 1-butanol have been obtained at a constant pressure of 500 bar up to 350 degrees C and along isotherms 250, 300, and 350 degrees C up to 600 bar. The purpose of the experiment was to compare responses of Raman and IR absorption spectroscopy to the forming of O-H center dot center dot center dot O bonds in alcohols. As a result, some important inferences were drawn from the experiment. In particular, it has been estimated quantitatively how the intensity of Raman scattering in the region of the OH band depends on the extent of hydrogen bonding. As might be expected, the dependence is much weaker than in the case of the IR absorption. As was shown, the ratio of integrated intensities of bonded molecules in the absorption and scattering spectra is a constant and does not depend on temperature and density. The effect of cooperativity of hydrogen bonds is confirmed. It was also found that even at high pressures, a noticeable amount of nonbonded molecules exists at room temperature.