Variation in IR and Raman Spectra of CD3CN upon Solvation of InCl3 in CD3CN: Distinctive Blue Shifts, Coordination Number, Donor-Acceptor Interaction, and Solvated Species

Notable blue shifts of the ν2 $C{\equiv}N$ stretching, $_{v4}$ C-C stretching and $_{v8}$ CCN deformation bands of $CD_3CN$ are observed upon solvation of $InCl_3$, resulting from the donor-acceptor interaction. The Raman spectrum in the $_{v2}$ region shows further details; at least two new bands emerge on the blue side of the $_{v2}$ band of free $CD_3CN$, whose relative intensities vary with concentration, suggesting that there exist at least two different cationic species in the solution. The strong hydrogen bonds formed between the methyl group and ${InCl_4}^-$ result in a large band appearing on the red side of the ν1 $CD_3$ symmetric stretching band. The solvation number of $InCl_3$, determined from the Raman intensities of the $C{\equiv}N$ stretching bands for free and coordinated $CD_3CN$, increases from $\sim$1.5 to $\sim$1.8 with decreasing concentration.