The Vibrational Spectra and Structure of Mucochloric and Mucobromic Acids

Abstract

The infrared spectra of mucochloric acid (2,3-dichloro-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid), mucochloric acid-d1, and mucobromic acid (2,3-di-bromo-4-oxo-2-butenoic acid) have been recorded in the solid and liquid phases in the region 4000 to 50 cm −1. The solid phase Raman spectral data of mucochloric and mucobromic acids are also reported. It has been found that mucochloric acid exists in the solid and liquid phases in the hydroxylactone configuration (2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxybut-2-enelactone) rather than the chain configuration indicated by the name.