Theoretical electronic absorption and natural circular dichroism spectra of (-)-trans-cyclooctene

Using the random phase approximation and coupled cluster singles and doubles linear response theory in conjunction with two basis sets of augmented double-zeta quality and two nuclear geometries, we have calculated electronic absorption and natural circular dichroism spectra of (-)-trans-cyclooctene. We present a density functional theory optimized nuclear geometry whose ground state electric dipole moment and harmonic vibrational spectrum compare well with experimental data. The coupled cluster results obtained with this nuclear geometry are in good agreement with experimental electronic spectra, although the original interpretation of the most intense low-lying band as a π→π* transition is contradicted. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.