Frequently Asked Question

To determine the Raman active vibrations of chloroform (CHCl3), you'll need to use group theory. Here's a breakdown of the steps involved:
1. Determine the point group of the molecule: Chloroform has a tetrahedral shape with a C3v point group.
2. Identify the irreducible representations of all vibrational modes: You'll use character tables for the C3v point group to find the symmetries of all vibrational modes.
3. Apply the selection rule: Only vibrational modes that transform as the same irreducible representation as the polarizability tensor (which is the same as the symmetric stretching mode, A1 in this case) are Raman active.
4. Analyze the results: Based on the symmetry analysis, you'll be able to identify which vibrational modes of chloroform are Raman active.
This process requires knowledge of group theory and character tables. Let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on any specific step.