First predictions of rotationally resolved infrared spectra of dideuteromethane ((12)CH2D2) from potential energy and dipole moment surfaces.

We report the variationally computed infrared spectrum of (12)CH2D2 using our recent potential energy and dipole moment methane surfaces, which have been initially derived in the irreducible tensor representation adapted to the tetrahedral symmetry of the major isotopologue (12)CH4. The nuclear motion calculations are accomplished by combining the normal-mode Eckart-Watson Hamiltonian with isotopic and symmetry transformations. Our direct vibrational calculations are compared to the 93 observed band centers up to 6300 cm(-1). Except for two outliers the root-mean-square deviation is 0.22 cm(-1) and the maximum error is 0.7 cm(-1) without empirical adjustment of parameters. The work aims at filling the gap concerning missing line strength information for this molecule. Theoretical spectra predictions are given up to J = 25 and, for the very first time, ab initio intensity predictions for rovibrational line transitions are in good qualitative agreement with available experimental spectra.