IR-SPECTRA AND HYDROGEN-BONDING IN TETRITOLS

The out-of-plane (tau) H-vibration bands in spectra of polycrystalline films of two isomeric alditols, meso-erythritol and D,L-threitol, wer e recorded at 300 K and at 20 K for both OH and OD compounds and the H -band parameters were used for the evaluation of the relative strength s of the H-bonds in the crystals of two tetritols. Unlike erythritol, in the crystals of which all the H-bonds are strong, threitol contains additional weak H-bonds. This fact might be related to the strong wat er absorption capability of D,L-threitol, as compared to the reluctanc e of meso-erythritol to absorb water. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.