Theoretical prediction of structural, vibrational and NMR parameters of plastic optical fiber (POF) material precursors. Cis and trans perhydro- and perfluoro-2-methylene-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolanes.

Density functional theory (DFT) prediction of cis and trans perhydro- and perfluoro-2-methylene-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolanes structure, supported by vibrational analysis and calculation of multinuclear isotropic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shieldings and indirect spin-spin couplings (SSCCs) was performed. The performance of the used methodology was verified on 1,3-dioxolane selected as model compound. The structures of hydrogenated and fluorinated monomers of POF materials were calculated using B3LYP and BLYP density functionals combined with 6-311++G(3df,2pd) basis set. The BLYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level of theory was suggested for vibrational analysis. Gauge independent atomic orbitals (GIAO) calculations were applied to distinguish between cis and trans isomers of the title 1,3-dioxolanes. For obtaining both accurate nuclear shieldings and individual spin-spin coupling constants the BHandH/aug-pcJ-2 level of theory was chosen. The protocol used for the calculations nicely showed remarkable differences in vibrational spectra and NMR parameters of cis and trans isomers of the studied 1,3-dioxolane derivatives before and after fluorination.