National Institute of Standards and Technology
Computational Chemistry Comparison and Benchmark DataBase
Release
NIST Standard Reference Database 101
IIntroduction
IIExperimental data
IIICalculated data
IVData comparisons
VCost comparisons
VIInput and output files
VIITutorials and Units
VIIILinks to other sites
IXFeedback
XOlder CCCBDB versions
XIIGeometries
XIII Vibrations
XIVReaction data
XVEntropy data
XVIBibliographic data
XVIIIon data
XVIIIBad calculations
XIXIndex of properties
XXH-bond dimers
XXIOddities

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VII.B.2. (XIII.G.2.)

What's a cm-1?

A reciprocal centimeter (or wavenumber) is used as an energy unit. It is often used for the energy of vibrational levels and transitions, and for electronic energy levels and transitions. The spectra of vibrational and electronic transitions are often measured as an intensity as a function of wavelength. A reciprocal wavelength (cm-1) is a simple convenient unit for comparing energies when dealing with spectra. An actual energy can be obtained by multiplying cm-1 by hc (Planck's constant times the speed of light). To convert from cm-1 to kJ/mol one uses

Planck constant h = 6.62606876 x 10-37 kJ s
Speed of light c = 2.99792458 x 1010 cm s-1
Avogadro constant NA = 6.02214199 x 1023 mol-1
or 1.196266 x 10-2 kJ mol-1 cm.

More on units and conversions can be found near the end of the page discussing thermochemistry (Section I.D.)