Assignment of phantom bands in the solid-state infrared and Raman spectra of coronene: The importance of a minute out-of-plane distortion

The molecular geometry and the normal modes properties of coronene are investigated by means of DFT(B3LYP) and restricted/Hartree-Fock calculations utilizing basis sets of triple zeta+polarization quality. The interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of coronene, especially in solid state, is critically revised. The phantom bands in the solid state, previously not understood, are readily assigned after considering a minute out-of-plane molecular distortion from D-6h to C-2h.