Adsorbed states of substituted α‐aminophosphinic acids on a silver electrode surface: comparison with a colloidal silver substrate

We investigated the interfacial structures of various aromatic (each compound contains one or two phenyls) di‐α‐amino ( L¹ – L³ ) and α‐amino‐α‐hydroxyphosphinic ( L⁴ – L⁶ ) acids immobilized onto an electrochemically roughened silver electrode surface in an aqueous solution using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). These structures were compared to those on a colloidal silver surface to determine the relationship between adsorption strength and geometry. The presence of an enhanced ν_19a ring band in the SERS spectra of L⁶ , L² , and L³ on the electrode indicated that the benzene rings of those molecules interact with the electrode surface through localized CC bond(s). We observed significant band broadening of the benzene ring modes for all α‐hydroxyphosphinic acids on both substrates, except for L¹ deposited onto the electrode surface. This suggests the possibility of direct interaction between the ring and Ag, although the benzene ring–surface π overlap is weaker for the colloidal silver than for the Ag electrode. The downward shift in wavenumber and alternations in the enhancement of a ν₁₂ ring band indicate a general increase of tilt angle on both silver substrates in the order L³ < L⁴ < L⁵ < L⁶ . The altered enhancement of the bands due to the vibrations of the  NH₂ and O PO fragments, a finding observed on both silver substrates, strongly suggests that the groups interact with different strength and geometry with these substrates. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol on silver surfaces: surface‐enhanced Raman scattering study

Adsorption of 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol (4,4′‐TBBT) on a colloidal silver surface and a roughened silver electrode surface was investigated by means of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for the first time, which indicates that 4,4′‐TBBT is chemisorbed on the colloidal silver surface as dithiolates by losing two H‐atoms of the S H bond, while as monothiolates on the roughened silver electrode. The different orientations of the molecules on both silver surfaces indicate the different adsorption behaviors of 4,4′‐TBBT in the two systems. It is inferred from the SERS signal that the two aromatic rings in 4,4′‐TBBT molecule are parallel to the colloidal silver surface as seen from the disappearance of ν_{C H} band (3054 cm⁻¹), which is a vibrational mode to be used to determine the orientation of a molecule on metals according to the surface selection rule, while on the roughened silver electrode surface they are tilted to the surface as seen from the enhanced signal of ν_{C H}. The orientation of the C‐S bond is tilted with respect to the silver surface in both cases as inferred from the strong enhancement of the ν_{C S}. SERS spectra of 4,4′‐TBBT on the roughened silver electrode with different applied potentials reveal that the enhancement of 4,4′‐TBBT on the roughened silver electrode surface may be related to the chemical mechanism (CM). More importantly, the adsorption of 4,4′‐TBBT on the silver electrode is expected to be useful to covalently adsorb metal nanoparticles through the free S H bond to form two‐ or three‐ dimensional nanostructures. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and theoretical Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering study of cysteine

Raman spectra in solid and 1 M solution of L ‐cysteine and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of this molecule in the zwitterionic form, by using colloidal silver nanoparticles, have been recorded. Density functional theory with the B3LYP functional was used for the optimizations of the ground state geometries and simulation of the vibrational spectrum of this amino acid. The SERS spectrum with a large silver cluster as a model metallic surface was simulated for the first time. Taking into account the experimental and calculated Raman and SERS vibrations and the corresponding assignments, as well as a comparison of force constants and geometrical parameters between the free zwitterion cysteine and the one in the presence of the colloidal silver nanoparticles, we can confirm the presence of gauche (P_H) and trans (P_N) rotamers in the solid state, the formation of a S S bond in the solution state, the dissociation of the peptide bond and mixing of rotamers because of the SERS effect, and the relative importance of the interaction of sulphyldryl, NH₃⁺, and carboxylate groups with the metallic surface. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman and SERS spectra of anilinium sulfate

The FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of anilinium sulfate were recorded and analyzed. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was recorded from a silver electrode. The vibrational wavenumbers of the compound have been computed using the Hartree‐Fock/6‐31G* basis and compared with the experimental values. The molecule is adsorbed on the silver surface with the benzene ring in a tilted orientation. The presence of amino and sulfate group vibrations in the SERS spectrum reveal the interaction between amino and sulfate groups with the silver surface. The direction of the charge transfer contribution to SERS has been discussed from the frontier orbital theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

IR,Raman and SERS spectra of 5‐sulphosalicylic acid dihydrate

IR, Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of 5‐sulphosalicylic acid were recorded and analysed. The vibrational wavenumbers were computed by density functional theoretical (DFT) method using B3LYP/6–31G* basis. The bands due to the stretching modes CO, C S and SO₂ are intense in the SERS spectrum. The C H stretching mode also appears in the SERS spectrum. The molecule is found to adsorb through both the carboxyl and sulphonyl groups. A possible tilted orientation of the molecule is suggested. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of sodium alginate and its block fractions by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of sodium alginates and their hetero‐ and homopolymeric fractions obtained from four seaweeds of the Chilean coast was studied. Alginic acid is a copolymer of β‐D ‐mannuronic acid (M) and α‐L guluronic acid (G), linked 1 → 4, forming two homopolymeric fractions (MM and GG) and a heteropolymeric fraction (MG). The SERS spectra were registered on silver colloid with the 632.8 nm line of a He Ne laser. The SERS spectra of sodium alginate and the polyguluronate fraction present various carboxylate bands which are probably due to the coexistence of different molecular conformations. SERS allows to differentiate the hetero‐ and homopolymeric fractions of alginic acid by characteristic bands. In the fingerprint region, all the poly‐D ‐mannuronate samples present a band around 946 cm⁻¹ assigned to C O stretching, and C C H and C O H deformation vibrations, a band at 863 cm⁻¹ assigned to deformation vibration of β‐C₁ H group, and one at 799–788 cm⁻¹ due to the contributions of various vibration modes. Poly‐L ‐guluronate spectra show three characteristic bands, at 928–913 cm⁻¹ assigned to symmetric stretching vibration of C O C group, at 890–889 cm⁻¹ due to C C H, skeletal C C, and C O vibrations, and at 797 cm⁻¹ assigned to α C₁ H deformation vibration. The heteropolymeric fractions present two characteristic bands in the region with the more important one being an intense band at 730 cm⁻¹ due to ring breathing vibration mode. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of an aliphatic spacer group on the adsorption mechanism on the colloidal silver surface of L‐proline phosphonodipeptides

A comparative study of molecular structures of five L ‐proline (L ‐Pro) phosphonodipeptides: L ‐Pro‐NH‐C(Me,Me)‐PO₃H₂ (P1), L ‐Pro‐NH‐C(Me,iPr)‐PO₃H₂ (P2), L ‐Pro‐L ‐NH‐CH(iBu)‐PO₃H₂ (P3), L ‐Pro‐L ‐NH‐CH(PA)‐PO₃H₂ (P4) and L ‐Pro‐L ‐NH‐CH(BA)‐PO₃H₂ (P5) has been carried out using Raman and absorption infrared techniques of molecular spectroscopy. The interpretation of the obtained spectra has been supported by density functional theory calculations (DFT) at the B3LYP; 6–31 + + G** level using Gaussian 2003 software. The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on Ag‐sol in aqueous solutions of these phosphonopeptides has also been investigated. The surface geometry of these molecules on a silver colloidal surface has been determined by observing the position and relative intensity changes of the Pro ring, amide, phosphonate and so‐called spacer (−R) groups vibrations of the enhanced bands in their SERS spectra. Results show that P4 and P5 adsorb onto the silver as anionic molecules mainly via the amide bond (∼1630, ∼1533, ∼1248, ∼800 and ∼565 cm⁻¹), Pro ring (∼956, ∼907 and ∼876 cm⁻¹) and carboxylate group (∼1395 and ∼909 cm⁻¹). Coadsorption of the imine nitrogen atom and PO group with the silver surface, possibly by formation of a weaker interaction with the metal, is also suggested by the enhancement of the bands at 1158 and 1248 cm⁻¹. P1, P2 and P3 show two orientations of their main chain on the silver surface resulting from different interactions of the  C CH₃,  NH and  CONH fragments with this surface. Bonding to the Ag surface occurs mainly through the imino atom (1166 cm⁻¹) for P2, while for P1 and P3 it occurs via the methyl group(s) (1194–1208 cm⁻¹). The amide group functionality (CONH) is practically not involved in the adsorption process for P1 and P2, whereas the C_s P bonds do assist in the adsorption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational characterization of L‐valine phosphonate dipeptides: FT‐IR,FT‐RS,and SERS spectroscopy studies and DFT calculations

Four L ‐valine (L ‐Val) phosphonate dipeptides that are potent inhibitors of zinc metalloproteases, namely, L ‐Val‐C(Me)₂‐PO₃H₂ (V1), L ‐Val‐CH(iP)‐PO₃H₂ (V2), L ‐Val‐CH(iB)‐PO₃H₂ (V3), and L ‐Val‐C(Me)(iP)‐PO₃H₂ (V4), are studied by Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform Raman spectroscopy (FT‐RS), and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The band assignment (wavenumbers and intensities) is made based on (B3LYP/6‐311 + + G**) calculations. Comparison of theoretical FT‐IR and FT‐RS spectra with those of SERS allows to obtain information on the orientation of these dipeptides as well as specific‐competitive interactions of their functionalities with the silver substrate. More specifically, V1 and V4 appear to interact with the silver substrate mainly via a  C_sgCH₃ moiety localized at the  N_amideC_sg(CH₃)P molecular fragment. In addition, the  POH and isopropyl units of V4 assist in the adsorption process of this molecule. In contrast, the  C_αNH₂ and  PO₃H⁻ groups of V2 and V3 interact with the silver nanoparticles, whereas their isopropyl and isobutyl fragments seem to be repelled by the silver substrate (except for the  CH₂  of V3), similar to the  C_β(CH₃)₂ fragment of L ‐Val for all L ‐Val phosphonate dipeptides investigated in this work. The adsorption mechanism of these molecules onto the colloidal silver surface is also affected by amide bond behavior. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Food additives characterization by infrared,Raman, and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopies

Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR), Raman (RS), and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylobutanoic acid (HMB), L ‐carnitine, and N‐methylglycocyamine (creatine) have been measured. The SERS spectra have been taken from species adsorbed on a colloidal silver surface. The respective FT‐IR and RS band assignments (solid‐state samples) based on the literature data have been proposed. The strongest absorptions in the FT‐IR spectrum of creatine are observed at 1398, 1615, and 1699 cm⁻¹, which are due to ν_s(COOH) + ν(CN) + δ(CN), ρ_s(NH₂), and ν(C O) modes, respectively, whereas those of L ‐carnitine (at 1396/1586 cm⁻¹ and 1480 cm⁻¹) and HMB (at 1405/1555/1585 cm⁻¹ and 1437–1473 cm⁻¹) are associated with carboxyl and methyl/methylene group vibrations, respectively. On the other hand, the strongest bands in the RS spectrum of HMB observed at 748/1442/1462 cm⁻¹ and 1408 cm⁻¹ are due to methyl/methylene deformations and carboxyl group vibrations, respectively. The strongest Raman band of creatine at 831 cm⁻¹ (ρ_w(R NH₂)) is accompanied by two weaker bands at 1054 and 1397 cm⁻¹ due to ν(CN) + ν(R NH₂) and ν_s(COOH) + ν(CN) + δ(CN) modes, respectively. In the case of L ‐carnitine, its RS spectrum is dominated by bands at 772 and 1461 cm⁻¹ assigned to ρ_r(CH₂) and δ(CH₃), respectively. The analysis of the SERS spectra shows that HMB interacts with the silver surface mainly through the  COO⁻, hydroxyl, and  CH₂ groups, whereas L ‐carnitine binds to the surface via  COO⁻ and  N⁺(CH₃)₃ which is rarely enhanced at pH = 8.3. On the other hand, it seems that creatine binds weakly to the silver surface mainly by  NH₂, and C O from the  COO⁻ group. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of amino acid modifications on the molecular structure of adsorbed and nonadsorbed bombesin 6–14 fragments on an electrochemically roughened silver surface

This work used infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopy to determine the structure of seven modified fragments (residues 6–14 of the polypeptide chain) of bombesin (BN^6–14). The peptides studied are cyclo[D ‐Phe⁶, His⁷, Leu¹⁴]BN^6–14, [D ‐Phe⁶, Leu‐NHEt¹³, des‐Met¹⁴]BN^6–14, [D ‐Phe⁶, Leu¹³‐®‐p‐chloro‐Phe¹⁴]BN^6–14, [D ‐Phe⁶, β‐Ala¹¹, Phe¹³, Nle¹⁴]BN^6–14, [D ‐Tyr⁶, β‐Ala¹¹, Phe¹³, Nle¹⁴]BN^6–14, [D ‐Tyr⁶, β‐Phe¹¹, Phe¹³, Nle¹⁴OH]BN^6–14 and [D ‐Cys⁶, Asn⁷, D ‐Ala¹¹, Cys¹⁴]BN^6–14. These peptides are potent bombesin agonists useful in the treatment of tumors. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy was also used to examine the behavior of these molecules on an electrochemically roughened silver surface. The SERS spectra reveal that substituting native amino acids in these molecules with synthetic ones changes their adsorption state slightly on an electrochemically roughened surface of silver. The peptides [D ‐Tyr⁶, β‐Ala¹¹, Phe¹³, Nle¹⁴]BN^6–14 and [D ‐Tyr⁶, β‐Phe¹¹, Phe¹³, Nle¹⁴OH]BN^6–14 tend to adsorb strongly on this surface via C fragment (∼1400 cm⁻¹). The observed medium enhancement of the Trp⁸ residue and amide bond Raman signals indicate further interactions between these fragments and the surface. [D ‐Phe⁶, Leu‐NHEt¹³, des‐Met¹⁴]BN^6–14 and [D ‐Cys⁶, Asn⁷, D ‐Ala¹¹, Cys¹⁴]BN^6–14 are shown to be coordinated to the silver through  CONH , CO, and the indole ring. The strongest SERS bands (∼1506, ∼1275, ∼1149, and ∼1007 cm⁻¹) of [D ‐Phe⁶, Leu¹³‐®‐p‐chloro‐Phe¹⁴]BN^6–14 and [D ‐Phe⁶, β‐Ala¹¹, Phe¹³, Nle¹⁴]BN^6–14 suggest that these two peptides bind to the silver via Trp⁸ and  CONH . In the case of cyclo[D ‐Phe⁶, His⁷, Leu¹⁴]BN^6–14, the formation of a peptide/Ag complex is confirmed by the strong SERS bands involving Trp⁸ and  CONH vibrations, which are accompanied by a SERS signal due to the CO vibrations. For these analogs, the relative potency for inhibition of binding of ¹²⁵I‐[Tyr⁴]BN to rat pancreas acini cells was correlated with the behavior of the amide bond on the silver surface, while the contribution of the structural components to the ability to interact with the rGRP‐R was correlated with the SERS patterns. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure and conformation of Arg8 vasopressin modified analogs

Fourier‐transform Raman and infrared spectra were acquired for four arginine vasopressin (AVP) analogs containing L ‐diphenylalanine (Dpa): [Dpa²]AVP, [Cpa¹,Dpa²]AVP, [Dpa³]AVP, and [Cpa¹,Dpa³]AVP (where Cpa denotes 1‐mercaptocyclohexaneacetic acid). We compared and analyzed these spectra. In addition, the Raman spectra were compared to the corresponding surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra recorded in an aqueous silver colloidal dispersion. Silver colloidal dispersions prepared by the simple borohydride reduction of silver nitrate were used as substrates. The geometry of these molecules etched on the silver surface was deduced from the observed changes in the intensity enhancement, breadth, and shift in wavenumber of the Raman bands in the spectra of the bound versus free species. Based on the obtained data, adsorption mechanisms were proposed for each case, and the suggested adsorbate structures were compared. All the molecules were thought to adsorb onto a silver surface via a phenyl ring, free electron pairs on the sulfur atom, and CO and  CONH‐bonds. However, the orientation of these fragments on the colloidal silver surface and the strength of the interactions with this surface are different. For [Dpa³]AVP and [Cpa¹,Dpa³]AVP, a strong interaction among the—CCN‐peptide fragment and the colloidal silver surface occurs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman and surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopic studies of the 15‐mer DNA thrombin‐binding aptamer

Aptamers are single‐stranded oligonucleotides that selectively bind to their target molecules owing to their ability to form secondary structures and shapes. The 15‐mer (5′‐GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG‐3′) DNA thrombin‐binding aptamer (TBA) binds to thrombin following the formation of a quadruplex structure via the Hoogsten‐type G–G interactions. In the present study, Raman and SERS spectra of TBA and thiolated TBA (used to facilitate covalent bonding to metal nanoparticle) in different conditions are investigated. The spectra of the two analogs exhibit vibrations, such as the C8N7 H2 deformation band at ∼1480 cm⁻¹ of the guanine tetrad, that are characteristic of the quadruplex structure in the presence of K⁺ ions or at low temperature. Interestingly, SERS spectra of the two analogs differ markedly from their respective normal Raman spectra, possibly due to changes in the conformation of the aptamer upon binding, as well as to the specific interaction of individual vibrational modes with the metal surface. In addition, the SERS spectra of the thiolated aptamer show significant changes with different concentrations, which may be due to different orientation of the molecule with respect to the metal surface. This study provides useful information for the development of label‐free aptamer‐based SERS sensors and assays. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NIR‐FT Raman,FT‐IR and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra,with theoretical simulations on chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol (CLM), originally derived from the bacterium Streptomyces venezuelae, is an inhibitor of bacterial ribosomal peptidyl transferase activity. The near infrared Fourier transform (NIR‐FT) Raman, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectral analyses of CLM, a potential antibacterial drug for the treatment of typhoid fever, were carried out along with density functional computations. The vibrational spectral analysis reveals that the CH₂ asymmetric and symmetric stretching modes are shifted to higher wavenumbers than the computed values, owing to the electronic effects resulting from induction of methylene group with the adjacent electronegative atom. The lowering of CO stretching wavenumber is due to the presence of the strong electronegative atom, nitrogen, attached to the carbonyl carbon, causing large degree of molecular π‐electron delocalization and redistribution of electrons, which weakens the CO bond. The absence of a C H stretching vibration and the observed C H out‐of‐plane bending modes suggest that the CLM molecule may be adsorbed in a flat orientation with respect to the silver surface. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman,SERS spectra and computational calculations of 4‐ethyl‐N‐(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐nitrophenyl)benzamide

Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐ethyl‐N‐(2′‐hydroxy‐5′‐nitrophenyl)benzamide were recorded and analyzed. A surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum was recorded in silver colloid. The vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. The red shift of the NH stretching wavenumber in the infrared spectrum from the computational wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighboring oxygen atom. The simultaneous IR and Raman activation of the CO stretching mode gives the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. The presence of methyl modes in the SERS spectrum indicates the nearness of the methyl group to the metal surface, which affects the orientation and metal molecule interaction. The first hyperpolarizability and predicted infrared intensities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar derivatives and is an attractive subject for future studies of nonlinear optics. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with reported structures. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coadsorption of trimethyl phosphine and thiocyanate on colloidal silver: a SERS study combined with theoretical calculations

The adsorption of trimethyl phosphine (TMP) on colloidal silver has been investigated by means of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS). On the basis of surface selection rules, it is deduced from the SERS results that TMP adsorbs on silver surface via its P atom. The electron donor effect of TMP can be sensitively probed by the coadsorbed SCN⁻. The Raman wavenumber of νCN of the adsorbed SCN⁻ shifts to lower wavenumbers when TMP is coadsorbed with SCN⁻ and the red shift of C≡N stretching wavenumber is found to increase with increasing surface coverage of TMP. This could be explained in terms of the electron donor effect of TMP. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirm the experimental results that the charge transfer is from TMP to silver surface rather than reversely. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis indicates that the red shift of C≡N stretching mode is due the increase of electronic populations of π* orbital of C≡N bond induced by coadsorbed TMP, consequently the C≡N bond is weakened, and the νCN shifts to lower wavenumbers. An NBO analysis also indicates that the conjugated effect between S atom and C≡N bond could easily make the charge transfer from silver surface to C≡N bond. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy for quantitative measurement of lactic acid at physiological concentration in human serum

Lactic acid is a simple and effective indicator for estimating physiological function. Rapid and sensitive detection of lactic acid is very useful in clinical diagnosis. However, the concentration of lactic acid in the physiological state is too low to be detected using traditional Raman spectroscopy. We applied silver colloidal nanoparticles‐mediated surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for rapid identification and quantification of lactic acid. The standard SERS spectra of lactic acid were defined and the 1395 cm⁻¹ band intensity was used for quantification from 0.3 to 2 mM (R² = 0.99). In clinical blood sample measurement, the ultrafiltration (cutoff value 5 kDa) can efficiently reduce background fluorescence to improve SERS performance. We established identical and optimal procedure by adjusting reaction time and volume ratio of serum and nanoparticles to obtain high SERS reproducibility. Finally, we showed that silver colloidal nanoparticles‐mediated SERS technique was successfully applied to detect lactic acid at physiological concentrations in the blood. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal → nematic phase transition in the liquid crystalline system 1‐isothiocyanato‐4‐(trans‐4‐propylcyclohexyl) benzene (3CHBT) probed by temperature‐dependent micro‐Raman study and DFT calculations

Raman spectra of 3CHBT in unoriented form were recorded at 14 different temperature measurements in the range 25–55 °C, which covers the crystal → nematic (N) phase transition, and the Raman signatures of the phase transition were identified. The wavenumber shifts and linewidth changes of Raman marker bands with varying temperature were determined. The assignments of important vibrational modes of 3CHBT were also made using the experimentally observed Raman and infrared spectra, calculated wavenumbers, and potential energy distribution. The DFT calculations using the B3LYP method employing 6‐31G functional were performed for geometry optimization and vibrational spectra of monomer and dimer of 3CHBT. The analysis of the vibrational bands, especially the variation of their peak position as a function of temperature in two different spectral regions, 1150–1275 cm⁻¹ and 1950–2300 cm⁻¹, is discussed in detail. Both the linewidth and peak position of the ( C H ) in‐plane bending and ν(NCS) modes, which give Raman signatures of the crystal → N phase transition, are discussed in detail. The molecular dynamics of this transition has also been discussed. We propose the co‐existence of two types of dimers, one in parallel and the other in antiparallel arrangement, while going to the nematic phase. The structure of the nematic phase in bulk has also been proposed in terms of these dimers. The red shift of the ν(NCS) band and blue shift of almost all other ring modes show increased intermolecular interaction between the aromatic rings and decreased intermolecular interaction between two  NCS groups in the nematic phase. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of purpald SAMs on silver and gold electrodes: a Raman mapping study

The adsorption modes of 4‐amino‐3‐hydrazino‐5‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐trizole (purpald) self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on SERS‐active silver and gold electrodes were comparatively studied using surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and the self‐assembling procedures were investigated by the Raman mapping technique. Purpald SAMs adopted a titled orientation with S, N2 atoms anchoring to the silver electrode and the  N7H₂ close to the surface, whereas purpald stood up on the gold electrode through S, N5 atoms and with  N8H₂ adjacent to the surface. The density functional theory (DFT) at the level of B3LYP was performed to help explain their different adsorption behaviors on the silver and gold electrodes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FT‐IR,FT‐Raman and DFT calculations of the salicylanilide derivate 4‐chloro‐2‐(4‐bromophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl acetate

FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectra of 4‐chloro‐2‐(4‐bromophenylcarbamoyl)phenyl acetate were recorded and analyzed. The vibrational wavenumbers and corresponding vibrational assignments were examined theoretically using the Gaussian03 set of quantum chemistry codes. The red shift of the NH stretching wavenumber in the infrared (IR) spectrum from the computed wavenumber indicates the weakening of the NH bond resulting in proton transfer to the neighbouring oxygen atom. The simultaneous IR and Raman activations of the CO stretching mode give the charge transfer interaction through a π‐conjugated path. Optimized geometrical parameters of the title compound are in agreement with similar reported structures. From the optimized structure, it is clear that the hydrogen bonding decreases the double bond character of CO bond and increases the double bond character of the C N bonds. The first hyperpolarizability, predicted infrared intensities and Raman activities are reported. The calculated first hyperpolarizability is comparable with the reported values of similar derivatives and is an attractive object for future studies of non‐linear optics. The assignments of the normal modes are done by potential energy distribution (PED) calculations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering study of L‐tryptophan

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of tryptophan (Trp) were obtained. A unique SERS spectrum of Trp, corresponding to the most stable conformation and orientation on the metal surface, is observed after a stabilization period. The Trp molecules interact with the surface through both the carboxylate and amino groups; the aliphatic moiety is close to the surface. The pyrrole ring of the indole moiety is farther from the surface than the benzene fragment. The observed spectra vary depending on both the preparation of the silver colloid and the aggregation time. The interpretation of the experimental results is supported by theoretical treatment of the molecule on the silver surface. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.