The rotational spectrum of the isoprene-CO2 complex was investigated using pulsed-jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, complemented with quantum chemical calculations. Under supersonic jet expansion, only a single isomer was detected, in which CO2 resides above the conjugated C═C-C═C plane of isoprene, engaging in a C···π contact with the delocalized π system. Complementary theoretical approaches─including the independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition, the extended transition state-natural orbitals for chemical valence, and sobEDAw energy decomposition analyses─were employed to elucidate the nature of the intermolecular interactions. These combined experimental and theoretical results provide the first direct spectroscopic evidence that the conjugated π system of isoprene donates electron density into the π*(C═O) orbital of CO2. This observation confirms the existence of a π→π* noncovalent interaction. The findings expand the understanding of CO2-involved π···π* interactions and offer molecular-level insights relevant to the rational design of materials for CO2 capture, activation, and conversion.
Lei et al. (2026) studied this question.