From Ultrafast Structure Determination to Steering Reactions: Mixed IR/Non‐IR Multidimensional Vibrational Spectroscopies

Ultrafast multidimensional infrared spectroscopy is a powerful method for resolving features of molecular structure and dynamics that are difficult or impossible to address with linear spectroscopy. Augmenting the IR pulse sequences by resonant or nonresonant UV, Vis, or NIR pulses considerably extends the range of application and creates techniques with possibilities far beyond a pure multidimensional IR experiment. These include surface‐specific 2D‐IR spectroscopy with sub‐monolayer sensitivity, ultrafast structure determination in non‐equilibrium systems, triggered exchange spectroscopy to correlate reactant and product bands, exploring the interplay of electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom, investigation of interactions between Raman‐ and IR‐active modes, imaging with chemical contrast, sub‐ensemble‐selective photochemistry, and even steering a reaction by selective IR excitation. We give an overview of useful mixed IR/non‐IR pulse sequences, discuss their differences, and illustrate their application potential.     

Far‐Infrared Spectra of Yttrium‐Doped Gold Clusters AunY (n=1–9)

The geometric, spectroscopic, and electronic properties of neutral yttrium‐doped gold clusters Au_nY (n=1–9) are studied by far‐infrared multiple photon dissociation (FIR‐MPD) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Comparison of the observed and calculated vibrational spectra allows the structures of the isomers present in the molecular beam to be determined. Most of the isomers for which the IR spectra agree best with experiment are calculated to be the energetically most stable ones. Attachment of xenon to the Au_nY cluster can cause changes in the IR spectra, which involve band shifts and band splittings. In some cases symmetry changes, as a result of the attachment of xenon atoms, were also observed. All the Au_nY clusters considered prefer a low spin state. In contrast to pure gold clusters, which exhibit exclusively planar lowest‐energy structures for small sizes, several of the studied species are three‐dimensional. This is particularly the case for Au₄Y and Au₉Y, while for some other sizes (n=5, 8) the 3D structures have an energy similar to that of their 2D counterparts. Several of the lowest‐energy structures are quasi‐2D, that is, slightly distorted from planar shapes. For all the studied species the Y atom prefers high coordination, which is different from other metal dopants in gold clusters.     

A New 3D Manganese(II) Coordination Polymer with 4,4‐Dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine and 1,10‐Phenanthroline: Synthesis,Structural, and Magnetic Properties

A new 3D Mn^II metal‐organic framework compound {Mn(phen)(dcbp)}_n (H₂dcbp = 4,4‐dicarboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) was isolated under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized. In the compound, the dcbp ligand is deprotonated to give a neutral species (metal:ligand with 1:1 stoichiometry). Along the c axis, the neighboring Mn^II ions are linked by two carboxylate bridges in µ₂‐coordinating mode to generate a 1D zigzag chain, and these chains are interlinked by dicarboxylate groups of long dcbp ligands to generate a 3D (4,4)‐connected structure with the (4².8⁴) net topology. IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements were made, which indicated weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Mn^II ions of the compound.     

Two‐Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy Reveals the Structure of an Evans Auxiliary Derivative and Its SnCl4 Lewis Acid Complex

Determining the structure of reactive intermediates is the key to understanding reaction mechanisms. To access these structures, a method combining structural sensitivity and high time resolution is required. Here ultrafast polarization‐dependent two‐dimensional infrared (P2D‐IR) spectroscopy is shown to be an excellent complement to commonly used methods such as one‐dimensional IR and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy for investigating intermediates. P2D‐IR spectroscopy allows structure determination by measuring the angles between vibrational transition dipole moments. The high time resolution makes P2D‐IR spectroscopy an attractive method for structure determination in the presence of fast exchange and for short‐lived intermediates. The ubiquity of vibrations in molecules ensures broad applicability of the method, particularly in cases in which NMR spectroscopy is challenging due to a low density of active nuclei. Here we illustrate the strengths of P2D‐IR by determining the conformation of a Diels–Alder dienophile that carries the Evans auxiliary and its conformational change induced by the complexation with the Lewis acid SnCl₄, which is a catalyst for stereoselective Diels–Alder reactions. We show that P2D‐IR in combination with DFT computations can discriminate between the various conformers of the free dienophile N‐crotonyloxazolidinone that have been debated before, proving antiperiplanar orientation of the carbonyl groups and s‐cis conformation of the crotonyl moiety. P2D‐IR unequivocally identifies the coordination and conformation in the catalyst–substrate complex with SnCl₄, even in the presence of exchange that is fast on the NMR time scale. It resolves a chelate with the carbonyl orientation flipped to synperiplanar and s‐cis crotonyl configuration as the main species. This work sets the stage for future studies of other catalyst–substrate complexes and intermediates using a combination of P2D‐IR spectroscopy and DFT computations.     

Characterisation of Siliceous Extra‐Framework Species in DAY Zeolites by 29Si MAS NMR and IR Spectroscopic Measurements

Dealuminated Y zeolites (DAY) were obtained by steaming of NH₄NaY at temperatures between 450 °C and 700 °C. They were characterised by means of ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR, IR spectroscopic and XRD measurements. The Si/Al framework ratios of samples were calculated using the ²⁹Si MAS NMR signal intensities, the wave numbers of the double‐ring vibration band w_DR and the asymmetrical TOT valence vibration w_TOT of IR spectra as well as the XRD lattice constant a₀. In contrast to actual Si/Al ratio obtained from w_DR and a₀, the NMR spectroscopic and w_TOT values were determined to be too high because of the superposition of the signals coming from dealuminated zeolite framework and silica gel which forms in the zeolite as a result of steaming. The differently determined Si/Al ratios characterise the siliceous extra‐framework species.     

N‐Alkylacylamides in Thin Films Display Infrared Spectra of 310‐, α‐, and π‐Helices with Visible Static and Dynamic Growth Phases

A peptide model is a physical system containing a CONH group, the simplest being HCONHCH₃, N‐methylformamide (NMF). We have discovered that NMF and N‐methylacetamide (NMA), which form hydrogen‐bonded oligomers in thin films on a planar AgX fiber, display infrared (IR) spectra with peaks like those of polypeptide helices. Structures can be assigned by their amide I maxima near 1672 (3₁₀), 1655 (3₁₀), 1653 (α), 1655 (π), and 1635 cm^?1 (π), which are the first IR data for the π‐helix. Sharp peaks are an outcome of immobilization of polar species on the polar surface of silver halides. We report the first use of expanded thin‐film IR spectroscopy, in which plots of every spectrum over the amide I–II range show pauses or slow stages in the increase or decrease of absorption. These are identified as static phases followed by dynamic phases, with the incremental gain or loss of a helix turn. A general theory can be stated for such processes. Density functional calculations show that the NMA α‐helix pentamer (crystal structure geometry) is transformed into a π‐helix‐like form. For the first time, an entire sequence (3₁₀‐helix, α‐helix, π‐helix, quasiplanar species) of spectra has been recorded for NMA.     

The Structure and Conformation of (CH3)3CSNO

The gas‐phase molecular structure of (CH₃)₃CSNO was investigated by using electron diffraction, allowing the first experimental geometrical parameters for an S‐nitrosothiol species to be elucidated. Depending on the orientation of the ?SNO group, two conformers (anti and syn) are identified in the vapor of (CH₃)₃CSNO at room temperature, the syn conformer being less abundant. The conformational landscape is further scrutinized by using vibrational spectroscopy techniques, including gas‐phase and matrix‐isolation IR spectroscopy, resulting in a contribution of ca. 80:20 for the anti:syn abundance ratio, in good agreement with the computed value at the MP2(full)/cc‐pVTZ level of approximation. The UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectra also show the occurrence of the conformational equilibrium in the liquid phase, with a moderate post‐resonance Raman signature associated with the 350 nm electronic absorption.     

Computational Study of the One‐ and Two‐Dimensional Infrared Spectra of a Proton‐Transfer Mode in a Hydrogen‐Bonded Complex Dissolved in a Polar Nanocluster

The signatures of nanosolvation on the one‐ and two‐dimensional (1D and 2D) IR spectra of a proton‐transfer mode in a hydrogen‐bonded complex dissolved in polar solvent molecule nanoclusters of varying size are elucidated by using mixed quantum–classical molecular dynamics simulations. For this particular system, increasing the number of solvent molecules successively from N=7 to N=9 initiates the transition of the system from a cluster state to a bulk‐like state. Both the 1D and 2D IR spectra reflect this transition through pronounced changes in their peak intensities and numbers, but the time‐resolved 2D IR spectra also manifest spectral features that uniquely identify the onset of the cluster‐to‐bulk transition. In particular, it is observed that in the 1D IR spectra, the relative intensities of the peaks change such that the number of peaks decreases from three to two as the size of the cluster increases from N=7 to N=9. In the 2D IR spectra, off‐diagonal peaks are observed in the N=7 and N=8 cases at zero waiting time, but not in the N=9 case. It is known that there are no off‐diagonal peaks in the 2D IR spectrum of the bulk version of this system at zero waiting time, so the disappearance of these peaks is a unique signature of the onset of bulk‐like behavior. Through an examination of the trajectories of various properties of the complex and solvent, it is possible to relate the emergence of these off‐diagonal peaks to an interplay between the vibrations of the complex and the solvent polarization dynamics.     

Ultrafast Structural Fluctuations of Myoglobin‐Bound Thiocyanate and Selenocyanate Ions Measured with Two‐Dimensional Infrared Photon Echo Spectroscopy

Structural dynamics within the distal cavity of myoglobin protein is investigated using 2D‐IR and IR pump–probe spectroscopy of the N≡C stretch modes of heme‐bound thiocyanate and selenocyanate ions. Although myoglobin‐bound thiocyanate group shows a doublet in its IR absorption spectrum, no cross peaks originating from chemical exchange between the two components are observed in the time‐resolved 2D IR spectra within the experimental time window. Frequency–frequency correlation functions of the two studied anionic ligands are obtained by means of a few different analysis approaches; these functions were then used to elucidate the differences in structural fluctuation around ligand, ligand–protein interactions, and the degree of structural heterogeneity within the hydrophobic pocket of these myoglobin complexes.     

Kristallstrukturelle,Festkörper‐31P‐CP/MAS‐NMR,TOSS, 31P‐COSY‐NMR und mechanistische Beiträge zur Koordinationschemie des Octacarbonyldicobalts mit den Liganden Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)amin,Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methan und 1,1,1‐Tris(diphenylphosphanyl)ethan

Chemistry of Polyfunctional Molecules. 133. X‐Ray Crystal Structural, Solid‐state ³¹P CP/MAS NMR, TOSS, ³¹P COSY NMR, and Mechanistic Contributions to the Co‐ordination Chemistry of Octacarbonyldicobalt with the Ligands Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)amine, Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane, and 1,1,1‐Tris(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane Co₂(CO)₈ reacts with bis(diphenylphosphanyl)amine, HN(PPh₂)₂ (Hdppa, 1 ), in two steps to afford the known compound [Co(CO)(Hdppa‐κ²P)₂][Co(CO)₄] · 2 THF ( 6 a · 2 THF). The intermediate [Co(CO)₂(Hdppa‐κ²P) · (Hdppa‐κP)][Co(CO)₄] · dioxane · n‐pentane ( 5 · dioxane · n‐pentane) was isolated for the first time and was characterized by X‐ray analysis. The cation 5 ⁺ exhibits a slightly distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal geometry. Detailed ³¹P‐NMR investigations (solid‐state CP/MAS NMR, TOSS, ³¹P‐COSY, ³¹P‐EXSY) showed that the additional tautomer [Co(CO)₂(Hdppa‐κ²P)(Ph₂P–N=P(H)Ph₂‐κP)]⁺ ( 5 ′⁺) is present in solution. The tautomer equilibrium is slow in the NMR time scale. In contrast to the solid state only tetragonal pyramidal species of 5 are found in solution. At –90 °C there is slow exchange between the three diastereomeric species 5 a ⁺– 5 c ⁺. Compound 5 forms [Co(CO) · (Hdppa‐κ²P)₂]BPh₄ · THF ( 6 b · THF) in THF with NaBPh₄ under CO‐Elimination. A X‐ray diffraction investigation shows that the cation 6 ⁺ consists of a slightly distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal co‐ordination polyeder. However, a distorted tetragonal‐pyramidal structure has been found for the cation 7 ⁺ of the related compound [Co(CO)(dppm)₂][Co(CO)₄] · 2 THF ( 7 · 2 THF; dppm = bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane, Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂). A comparison with the known [8] trigonal‐bipyramidal stereoisomer, ascertained for 7 ⁺ of the solvent‐free 7 , is described. In solutions of 6 a · 2 THF and 7 · 2 THF ¹³C{¹H}‐ and ³¹P{¹H}‐NMR spectra indicate an exchange of all CO and organophosphane molecules between cobalt(I) cation and cobalt(–I) anion. A concerted mechanism for the exchange process is discussed. CO elimination leads to discontinuance of the cyclic mechanism by forming binuclear substitution products such as the isolated Co₂(CO)₂ · (μ‐CO)₂(μ‐dppm)₂ · 0.83 THF ( 8 · 0.83 THF), which was characterized by spectroscopy and X‐ray analysis. For the dissolved [Co(CO)₂CH₃C(CH₂PPh₂)₃][Co(CO)₄] · 0.83 n‐pentane ( 9 a · 0.83 n‐pentane) no CO and triphos exchange processes between the cation and the anion are observed. Metathesis of 9 a · 0.83 n‐pentane with NaBPh₄ yields [Co(CO)₂CH₃C(CH₂PPh₂)₃]BPh₄ ( 9 b ) which has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The cation shows a small distorted tetragonal‐pyramidal structure.     

Solvent Migration in Microhydrated Aromatic Aggregates: Ionization‐Induced Site Switching in the 4‐Aminobenzonitrile–Water Cluster

The dependence of the preferred microhydration sites of 4‐aminobenzonitrile (4ABN) on electronic excitation and ionization is determined through IR spectroscopy of its clusters with water (W) in a supersonic expansion and through quantum chemical calculations. IR spectra of neutral 4ABN and two isomers of its hydrogen‐bonded (H‐bonded) 4ABN–W complexes are obtained in the ground and first excited singlet states (S₀, S₁) through IR depletion spectroscopy associated with resonance‐enhanced multiphoton ionization. Spectral analysis reveals that electronic excitation does not change the H‐bonding motif of each isomer, that is, H₂O binding either to the CN or the NH site of 4ABN, denoted as 4ABN–W(CN) and 4ABN–W(NH), respectively. The IR spectra of 4ABN⁺–W in the doublet cation ground electronic state (D₀) are measured by generating them either in an electron ionization source (EI‐IR) or through resonant multiphoton ionization (REMPI‐IR). The EI‐IR spectrum shows only transitions of the most stable isomer of the cation, which is assigned to 4ABN⁺–W(NH). The REMPI‐IR spectrum obtained through isomer‐selective resonant photoionization of 4ABN–W(NH) is essentially the same as the EI‐IR spectrum. The REMPI‐IR spectrum obtained by ionizing 4ABN–W(CN) is also similar to that of the 4ABN⁺–W(NH) isomer, but differs from that calculated for 4ABN⁺–W(CN), indicating that the H₂O ligand migrates from the CN to the NH site upon ionization with a yield of 100 %. The mechanism of this CN→NH site‐switching reaction is discussed in the light of the calculated potential energy surface and the role of intracluster vibrational energy redistribution.     

Thermodynamics for the Formation of Double‐Stranded DNA–Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids

For the first time, the thermodynamics are described for the formation of double‐stranded DNA (ds‐DNA)–single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) hybrids. This treatment is applied to the exchange reaction of sodium cholate (SC) molecules on SWNTs and the ds‐DNAs d(A)₂₀–d(T)₂₀ and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB decoy. UV/Vis/near‐IR spectroscopy with temperature variations was used for analyzing the exchange reaction on the SWNTs with four different chiralities: (n,m)=(8,3), (6,5), (7,5), and (8,6). Single‐stranded DNAs (ss‐DNAs), including d(A)₂₀ and d(T)₂₀, are also used for comparison. The d(A)₂₀–d(T)₂₀ shows a drastic change in its thermodynamic parameters around the melting temperature (T_m) of the DNA oligomer. No such T_m dependency was measured, owing to high T_m in the NF‐κB decoy DNA and no T_m in the ss‐DNA.     

Gas‐Phase Peptide Structures Unraveled by Far‐IR Spectroscopy: Combining IR‐UV Ion‐Dip Experiments with Born–Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Vibrational spectroscopy provides an important probe of the three‐dimensional structures of peptides. With increasing size, these IR spectra become very complex and to extract structural information, comparison with theoretical spectra is essential. Harmonic DFT calculations have become a common workhorse for predicting vibrational frequencies of small neutral and ionized gaseous peptides. ¹ Although the far‐IR region (<500 cm^?1) may contain a wealth of structural information, as recognized in condensed phase studies, ² DFT often performs poorly in predicting the far‐IR spectra of peptides. Here, Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) is applied to predict the far‐IR signatures of two γ‐turn peptides. Combining experiments and simulations, far‐IR spectra can provide structural information on gas‐phase peptides superior to that extracted from mid‐IR and amide A features.     

Ionization‐Induced Solvent Migration in Acetanilide‐Methanol Clusters Inferred from Isomer‐Selective Infrared Spectroscopy

We present the resonance‐enhanced multiphoton ionization, infrared‐ultraviolet hole burning (IR‐UV HB), and IR dip spectra of the trans‐acetanilide–methanol (AA–MeOH) cluster in the S₀, S₁, and cationic ground state (D₀) in a supersonic jet. The IR‐UV HB spectra demonstrate the co‐existence of two isomers in S_0,1, in which MeOH binds either to the NH or the CO site of the peptide linkage in AA, denoted as AA(NH)–MeOH and AA(CO)–MeOH. When AA(CO)–MeOH is selectively ionized, its IR spectrum in D₀ is the same as that measured for AA⁺(NH)–MeOH. Thus, photoionization of AA(CO)–MeOH induces migration of MeOH from the CO to the NH site with 100% yield.     

Co‐crystals based on 1,2,4,5‐Benzenetetracarboxylic Acid: Synthesis,Supramolecular Frameworks and Optical Properties

Two new co‐crystals based on 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid, (H₂BETC)(H₄tpim)](NO₃) ( 1 ) and [(H₄BETC)_0.5(H₂BETC)_0.5(HVB4)](H₂O) ( 2 ) [H₄BETC = 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid, Htpim = 2,4,5‐tri(4‐pyridyl)‐imidazole, and VB4 = adenine], were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and X‐ray powder diffraction analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 were further assembled to form 3D supramolecular frameworks with 1D channels by intermolecular C–H ··· O, O–H ··· O, and N–H ··· O hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The results reveal that the structural differences of 1 and 2 may be attributed to different molecular components. Moreover, the UV/Vis and luminescent spectra of ligands and corresponding compounds were briefly investigated.     

Metal(II) Ion Complexes with 5‐(Pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione; Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Acid‐base,and Complexing Properties in Solution

The study reports the synthesis of complexes Co(HL)Cl₂ ( 1 ), Ni(HL)Cl₂ ( 2 ), Cu(HL)Cl₂ ( 3 ), and Zn(HL)₃Cl₂ ( 4 ) with the title ligand, 5‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione (HL), and their characterization by elemental analyses, ESI‐MS (m/z), FT‐IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as EPR in the case of the Cu^II complex. The comparative analysis of IR spectra of the metal ion complexes with HL and HL alone indicated that the metal ions in 1 , 2 , and 3 are chelated by two nitrogen atoms, N(4) of pyrazine and N(5) of triazole in the thiol tautomeric form, whereas the Zn^II ion in 4 is coordinated by the non‐protonated N(2) nitrogen atom of triazole in the thione form. pH potentiometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy were used to examine Co^II, Ni^II, and Zn^II complexes in 10/90 (v/v) DMSO/water solution, whereas the Cu^II complex was examined in 40/60 (v/v) DMSO/water solution. Monodeprotonation of the thione triazole in solution enables the formation of the L:M = 1:1 species with Co^II, Ni^II and Zn^II, the 2:1 species with Co^II and Zn^II, and the 3:1 species with Zn^II. A distorted tetrahedral arrangement of the Cu^II complex was suggested on the basis of EPR and Vis/NIR spectra.     

Theoretical Simulation of Vibrational Sum‐Frequency Generation Spectra from Density Functional Theory: Application to p‐Nitrothiophenol and 2,4‐Dinitroaniline

The molecular orientation of adsorbed molecules forming self‐assembled monolayers can be determined by combining vibrational sum‐frequency generation (SFG) measurements with quantum chemical calculations. Herein, we present a theoretical methodology used to simulate the SFG spectra for different combinations of polarizations. These simulations are based on calculations of the IR vectors and Raman tensors, which are obtained from density functional theory computations. The dependency of the SFG vibrational signature with respect to the molecular orientation is presented for the molecules p‐nitrothiophenol and 2,4‐dinitroaniline. It is found that a suitable choice of basis set as well as of exchange‐correlation (XC) functional is mandatory to correctly simulate the SFG intensities and consequently provide an accurate estimation of the adsorbed molecule orientation. Comparison with experimental data shows that calculations performed at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of approximation provide good agreement with experimental frequencies, and with IR and Raman intensities. In particular, it is demonstrated that polarization and diffuse functions are compulsory for reproducing the IR and Raman spectra, and consequently vibrational SFG spectra, of systems such as p‐nitrothiophenol. Moreover, the investigated XC functionals reveal their influence on the relative intensities, which show rather systematic variations with the amount of Hartree–Fock exchange. Finally, further aspects of the modeling are revealed by considering the frequency dependence of the Raman tensors.     

Rapid parameter optimization of low signal‐to‐noise samples in NMR spectroscopy using rapid CPMG pulsing during acquisition: application to recycle delays

A method is presented that combines Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) during acquisition with either selective or nonselective excitation to produce a considerable intensity enhancement and a simultaneous loss in chemical shift information. A range of parameters can theoretically be optimized very rapidly on the basis of the signal from the entire sample (hard excitation) or spectral subregion (soft excitation) and should prove useful for biological, environmental, and polymer samples that often exhibit highly dispersed and broad spectral profiles. To demonstrate the concept, we focus on the application of our method to T₁ determination, specifically for the slowest relaxing components in a sample, which ultimately determines the optimal recycle delay in quantitative NMR. The traditional inversion recovery (IR) pulse program is combined with a CPMG sequence during acquisition. The slowest relaxing components are selected with a shaped pulse, and then, low‐power CPMG echoes are applied during acquisition with intervals shorter than chemical shift evolution (RCPMG) thus producing a single peak with an SNR commensurate with the sum of the signal integrals in the selected region. A traditional ¹³C IR experiment is compared with the selective ¹³C IR‐RCPMG sequence and yields the same T₁ values for samples of lysozyme and riverine dissolved organic matter within error. For lysozyme, the RCPMG approach is ~70 times faster, and in the case of dissolved organic matter is over 600 times faster. This approach can be adapted for the optimization of a host of parameters where chemical shift information is not necessary, such as cross‐polarization/mixing times and pulse lengths. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Behaviour of Bis(2‐mercaptopyridine‐N‐oxide)oxovanadium(IV)

The complex [VO(MPO)₂] (MPO = deprotonated 2‐mercaptopyridine N‐oxide) was synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy. Its electrochemical behaviour was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in different organic solvents. The V^IV/V^V and V^IV/V^III couples could be identified. The nature of the electroactive species is strongly dependent on the solvent. The results are discussed in terms of a reaction mechanism describing the characteristics of the electron transfer processes and the involved chemical reactions, and the stability of the complex in each solvent was also determined. The electronic spectra of the investigated solutions gave additional support to the proposed mechanisms.     

Solid‐state thermal stability and degradation of a family of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐hydroxymethylacrylamide) copolymers

There is widespread interest in responsive polymers that show cloud point behavior, but little attention is paid to their solid state thermal properties. To manufacture products based on such polymers, it may be necessary to subject them to high temperatures; hence, it is important to investigate their thermal behavior. In this study, we characterized a family of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐hydroxymethylacrylamide) copolymers. Although poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) shows very high thermal stability (up to 360 °C), introduction of hydroxy side chains leads to a significant reduction in stability and new degradation processes become apparent. Thermogravimetric analysis and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) indicate that the first degradation process involves a chemical dehydration step (110–240 °C), supported by the nonreversing heat flow response in modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry. Water loss scales with the fraction of hydroxy monomer in the copolymer. Glass transition temperatures (T_g) are higher than the temperatures causing dehydration; hence, these values relate to newly‐formed copolymer structures produced by controlled heating under nitrogen. Fourier transform‐Raman (FT‐Raman) spectra suggest that this transition involves imine formation. The T_g increases as the fraction of hydroxy groups in the original copolymer increases. Further heating leads to degradation and mass loss, and more complex changes in the FT‐IR spectra, consistent with formation of unsaturated species. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010