Laser Linewidth and Spectral Resolution in Infrared Scanning Sum Frequency Generation Vibrational Spectroscopy System

Sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) is a robust technique for interfacial investigation at molecular level. The performance of SFG-VS mostly depends on the spectral resolution of the SFG system. In this research, a simplified function was deduced to calculate the spectral resolution of picosecond SFG system and the lineshape of SFG spectra based on the Guassian shaped functions of IR beam and visible beam. The function indicates that the lineshpe of SFG spectra from nonresonant samples can be calculated by the Guassian widths of both IR beam and visible beam. And the Voigt lineshape of SFG spectra from vibrational resonant samples can be calculated by the Homogeneous broadening (Lorentzian width) and Inhomogeneous broadening (Guassian width) of vibrational modes, as well as the Guassian widths of both IR beam and visible beam. Such functions were also applied to verify the spectral resolution of the polarization-resolved and frequency-resolved picosecond SFG-VS system which was developed by our group recently. It is shown that the linewidths of IR beams that generated from current laser system are about 1.5 cm^-1. The calculated spectral resolution of current picosecond IR scanning SFG-VS system is about 4.6 cm^-1, which is consist with he spctral resolution shown in the spectra of cholesterol monolayer (3.5-5 cm^-1).     

Ultrafast Vibrational Population Transfer Dynamics in 2‐Acetylcyclopentanone Studied by 2D IR Spectroscopy

2‐Acetylcyclopentanone (2‐ACP), which is a β‐dicarbonyl compound, undergoes keto–enol isomerization, and its enol tautomers are stabilized by a cyclic intramolecular hydrogen bond. 2‐ACP (keto form) has symmetric and asymmetric vibrational modes of the two carbonyl groups at 1748 and 1715 cm^?1, respectively, which are well separated from the carbonyl modes of its enol tautomers in the FTIR spectrum. We have investigated 2‐ACP dissolved in carbon tetrachloride by 2D IR spectroscopy and IR pump–probe spectroscopy. Vibrational population transfer dynamics between the two carbonyl modes were observed by 2D IR spectroscopy. To extract the population exchange dynamics (i.e., the down‐ and uphill population transfer rate constants), we used the normalized volumes of the cross‐peaks with respect to the diagonal peaks at the same emission frequency and the survival and conditional probability functions. As expected, the downhill population transfer time constant (3.2 ps) was measured to be smaller than the uphill population transfer time constant (3.8 ps). In addition, the vibrational population relaxation dynamics of the two carbonyl modes were observed to be the same within the experimental error and were found to be much slower than vibrational population transfer between two carbonyl modes.     

IR and Raman Vibrational Assignments for Metal-free Phthalocyanine from Density Functional B3LYP／6-31G（d） Method

Vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra for the metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) have been comparatively investigated through experimental and theoretical methods. The frequencies and intensities were calculated at density functional B3LYP level using the 6-3 IG(d) basis set. The calculated vibrational frequencies were scaled by the factor 0.9613 and compared with the experimental result. In the IR spectrum, the characteristic IR band at 1008.cm^-1 is interpreted as C-N (pyrrole) in-plane bending vibration, in contrast with the traditional assigned N-H in-plane or out-of-plane bending vibration. The band at 874 cm^-1 is attributed to the isoindole deformation and aza vibration. In the Raman spectrum, the bands at 540, 566, 1310, 1340, 1425, 1448 and 1618 cm^-1 are also re-interpreted. Assignments of vibrational bands in the IR and Raman spectra are given based on density functional calculations for the first time. The present work provides valuable information to the traditional empirical assignment and will be helpful for further investigation of the vibration spectra of phthalocyanine analogues and their metal complexes.     

Vibrational spectra of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) yttrium(III) double-decker complexes: Density functional theory calculations

The vibrational (IR and Raman) spectra of neutral and reduced mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) yttrium(III) double-decker complexes Y(Pc)(Por) and [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ [the simplified models of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth(III) complexes] are studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The simulated IR and Raman spectra of Y(Pc)(Por) are compared with the experimental IR spectrum of Tb(Pc)(TClPP) and Raman spectrum of Y(Pc)(TClPP), respectively, and many bands can acceptably fit in spite of the different species. On the basis of comparison with the simulated spectra of PbPc and PbPor together with the assistance of normal coordinate analysis, the calculated frequencies in their IR and Raman spectra are identified in terms of the vibrational mode of different ligand for the first time. The calculated frequency at 1048 cm⁻¹ in the IR spectrum of [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ with contribution from both Pc and Por vibrational modes is the characteristic IR vibrational mode of the reduced double-decker, while the characteristic IR vibrational mode of Y(Pc)(Por) attributed from the vibration of phthalocyanine monoanion radical Pc⁻ appears at 1257 cm⁻¹. In line with our previous experimental findings that the Raman spectra of M(Pc)(TPP) and M(Pc)(TClPP) are dominated by the Pc vibrational modes, theoretical calculations indicate that most of the Raman vibrational modes contributed from Por ring are covered up by those of Pc ring and thus are hard to be recognized in the Raman spectra of [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ and Y(Pc)(Por) due to their much weaker intensity in comparison with that of Pc ligand. Comparison in the IR and Raman spectra between [Y(Pc)(Por)]⁻ and Y(Pc)(Por) also suggests the localization of hole on the Pc ring in the neutral double-decker Y(Pc)(Por). The present work, representing the first detailed DFT study on the vibrational spectra of mixed (phthalocyaninato)(porphyrinato) rare earth(III) double-decker complexes, is useful in helping to understand the vibrational spectroscopic properties of this series of mixed tetrapyrrole ring complexes.     

High‐Frequency Fe–H Vibrations in a Bridging Hydride Complex Characterized by NRVS and DFT

High‐spin iron species with bridging hydrides have been detected in species trapped during nitrogenase catalysis, but there are few general methods of evaluating Fe?H bonds in high‐spin multinuclear iron systems. An ⁵⁷Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) study on an Fe(μ‐H)₂Fe model complex reveals Fe?H stretching vibrations for bridging hydrides at frequencies greater than 1200 cm^?1. These isotope‐sensitive vibrational bands are not evident in infrared (IR) spectra, showing the power of NRVS for identifying hydrides in this high‐spin iron system. Complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations elucidate the normal modes of the rhomboidal iron hydride core.     

Conformational Structures of a Decapeptide Validated by First Principles Calculations and Cold Ion Spectroscopy

Calculated structures of the two most stable conformers of a protonated decapeptide gramicidin S in the gas phase have been validated by comparing the vibrational spectra, calculated from first‐ principles and measured in a wide spectral range using infrared (IR)–UV double resonance cold ion spectroscopy. All the 522 vibrational modes of each conformer were calculated quantum mechanically and compared with the experiment without any recourse to an empirical scaling. The study demonstrates that first‐principles calculations, when accounting for vibrational anharmonicity, can reproduce high‐resolution experimental spectra well enough for validating structures of molecules as large as of 200 atoms. The validated accurate structures of the peptide may serve as templates for in silico drug design and absolute calibration of ion mobility measurements.     

The t1 absorption and phosphorescence spectra of α-phase and γ-phase p-dichlorobenzene crystals

The T₁ absorption and emission spectra of the recently discovered α-phase of p-dichlorobenzene are presented and analyzed. New high resolution spectra of the α-phase are also reported and the analysis of the T₁ absorption spectrum is revised in light of results for the γ-phase. The frequency of the b_2g mode, involving out-of-plane chlorine motions, is found to drop by 210 cm^?1 upon excitation and, as a result, it is active as a progression-forming mode in both the absorption and emission spectra. Its activity, relative :othe a_g modes, is quite different in the two phases of p-dichlorobenzene and is not the same in the absorption and emission spectra. The high resolution phosphorescence spectrum of the α-phase shows detailed fine structure due to both multiple site emission and to splittings of some of the ground state vibrational levels.     

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy of Methylcyanodiacetylene (CH3C5N)

A spectroscopic study combining IR absorption and Raman scattering is presented for methylcyanodiacetylene (CH₃C₅N). Gas‐phase, cryogenic matrix‐isolated, and pure solid‐phase substance was analyzed. Out of 16 normal vibrational modes, 14 were directly observed. The analysis of the spectra was assisted by quantum chemical calculations of vibrational frequencies, IR absorption intensities, and Raman scattering activities at density functional theory and ab initio levels. Previous assignments of gas‐phase IR absorption bands were revisited and extended.     

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.     

Spectra and structure of binary azeotropes VI-benzene-methanol

Benzene and methanol make a minimum boiling point homogeneous binary azeotrope with the mole ratio 2:3. Some characteristic vibrational modes, as well as ¹H NMR signals change due to the azeotrope formation. The extend of interaction of these molecules causes significant changes on some vibrational modes involved, and ¹H NMR signals show some changes on their position. No IR, Raman, and NMR spectra have been reported for this constant boiling mixture, also there has not been any attempt to investigate the unit-structure of this azeotrope. In this work the FTIR, FT-Raman, and ¹H NMR spectra of pure benzene, pure methanol, and corresponding azeotrope were recorded, mutual influences resulting from azeotrope formation have been analyzed, and spectral changes has been discussed. The unit-structure of cluster has been deduced based on mole ratio, boiling point depression of constituents, and comparison among the spectra obtained by FTIR, FT-Raman, and ¹H NMR techniques.     

Vibrational spectra of sodium gadolinium tungstate NaGd(WO4)2 single crystals: Observation of spatial dispersion

Room temperature polarized Raman scattering and infrared reflectance spectra of a NaGd(WO₄)₂ single crystal have been measured. The IR spectra interpretation was aided by a Kramers-Krönig analysis, and fitted to the independent oscillator model. All 13 theoretically expected Raman-active bands have been identified and assigned, as well as 7 out of 8 expected IR active bands. Splitting of bands in both Raman and IR clearly indicates a lowering of the crystal symmetry due to occupation disorder in the 4a site, that randomly accommodates either an Na⁺ or a Gd³⁺ ion. The reflectance IR spectra reveal a spatial dispersion, namely a dependence of the transverse optical (TO) polariton frequencies, on the propagation direction in the crystal. The crystal vibrational modes are correlated to the internal modes of the tungstate group WO₄^2?, and to the internal modes of the molecular skeleton. A detailed correlation map of the symmetry analysis is presented.     

Vibrationally quantum-state-specific dynamics of the reactions of CN radicals with organic molecules in solution

The dynamics of reactions of CN radicals with cyclohexane, d(12)-cyclohexane, and tetramethylsilane have been studied in solutions of chloroform, dichloromethane, and the deuterated variants of these solvents using ultraviolet photolysis of ICN to initiate a reaction. The H(D)-atom abstraction reactions produce HCN (DCN) that is probed in absorption with sub-picosecond time resolution using ～500 cm(-1) bandwidth infrared (IR) pulses in the spectral regions corresponding to C-H (or C-D) and C≡N stretching mode fundamental and hot bands. Equivalent IR spectra were obtained for the reactions of CN radicals with the pure solvents. In all cases, the reaction products are formed at early times with a strong propensity for vibrational excitation of the C-H (or C-D) stretching (v(3)) and H-C-N (D-C-N) bending (v(2)) modes, and for DCN products there is also evidence of vibrational excitation of the v(1) mode, which involves stretching of the C≡N bond. The vibrationally excited products relax to the ground vibrational level of HCN (DCN) with time constants of ～130-270 ps (depending on molecule and solvent), and the majority of the HCN (DCN) in this ground level is formed by vibrational relaxation, instead of directly from the chemical reaction. The time-dependence of reactive production of HCN (DCN) and vibrational relaxation is analysed using a vibrationally quantum-state specific kinetic model. The experimental outcomes are indicative of dynamics of exothermic reactions over an energy surface with an early transition state. Although the presence of the chlorinated solvent may reduce the extent of vibrational excitation of the nascent products, the early-time chemical reaction dynamics in these liquid solvents are deduced to be very similar to those for isolated collisions in the gas phase. The transient IR spectra show additional spectroscopic absorption features centered at 2037 cm(-1) and 2065 cm(-1) (in CHCl(3)) that are assigned, respectively, to CN-solvent complexes and recombination of I atoms with CN radicals to form INC molecules. These products build up rapidly, with respective time constants of 8-26 and 11-22 ps. A further, slower rise in the INC absorption signal (with time constant >500 ps) is attributed to diffusive recombination after escape from the initial solvent cage and accounts for more than 2/3 of the observed INC.     

Reinterpretation of Dynamic Vibrational Spectroscopy to Determine the Molecular Structure and Dynamics of Ferrocene

Molecular distortion of dynamic molecules gives a clear signature in the vibrational spectra, which can be modeled to give estimates of the energy barrier and the sensitivity of the frequencies of the vibrational modes to the reaction coordinate. The reaction coordinate method (RCM) utilizes ab initio‐calculated spectra of the molecule in its ground and transition states together with their relative energies to predict the temperature dependence of the vibrational spectra. DFT‐calculated spectra of the eclipsed (D_5h) and staggered (D_5d) forms of ferrocene (Fc), and its deuterated analogue, within RCM explain the IR spectra of Fc in gas (350 K), solution (300 K), solid solution (7–300 K), and solid (7–300 K) states. In each case the D_5h rotamer is lowest in energy but with the barrier to interconversion between rotamers higher for solution‐phase samples (ca. 6 kJ mol^?1) than for the gas‐phase species (1–3 kJ mol^?1). The generality of the approach is demonstrated with application to tricarbonyl(η⁴‐norbornadiene)iron(0), Fe(NBD)(CO)₃. The temperature‐dependent coalescence of the ν(CO) bands of Fe(NBD)(CO)₃ is well explained by the RCM without recourse to NMR‐like rapid exchange. The RCM establishes a clear link between the calculated ground and transition states of dynamic molecules and the temperature‐dependence of their vibrational spectra.     

Vibrational Sum‐Frequency Generation Activity of a 2,4‐Dinitrophenyl Phospholipid Hybrid Bilayer: Retrieving Orientational Parameters from a DFT Analysis of Experimental Data

The vibrational nonlinear activity of films of 2,4‐dinitrophenyl phospholipid (DNP) at the solid interface is measured by sum‐frequency generation spectroscopy (SFG). Hybrid bilayers are formed by a Langmuir–Schaefer approach in which the lipid layer is physisorbed on top of a self‐assembled monolayer of dodecanethiol on Pt with the polar heads pointing out from the surface. The SFG response is investigated in two vibrational frequency domains, namely, 3050–2750 and 1375–1240 cm^?1. The first region probes the CH stretching modes of DNP films, and the latter explores the vibrational nonlinear activity of the 2,4‐dinitroaniline moiety of the polar head of the lipid. Analysis of the CH stretching vibrations suggests substantial conformational order of the aliphatic chains with only a few gauche defects. To reliably assign the detected SFG signals to specific molecular vibrations, DFT calculations of the IR and Raman activities of molecular models are performed and compared to experimental solid‐state spectra. This allows unambiguous assignment of the observed SFG vibrations to molecular modes localized on the 2,4‐dinitroaniline moiety of the polar head of DNP. Then, SFG spectra of DNP in the 1375–1240 cm^?1 frequency range are simulated and compared with experimental ones, and thus the 1,4‐axis of the 2,4‐dinitrophenyl head is estimated to have tilt and rotation angles of 45±5° and 0±30°, respectively.     

Vibrational analysis of the imidazolate ring

IR and Raman spectra have been investigated for imidazolate and 4-methylimidazolate including five and three deuterated analogs, respectively. Assignment of the observed IR and Raman bands has been made on the basis of isotopic frequency shifts, Raman polarization properties, and normal coordinate calculations. The calculated normal frequencies are in good agreement with experimental ones: the average error below 1600 cm⁻¹ is 4.5 cm⁻¹ for 104 in-plane vibrations and 3.8 cm⁻¹ for 43 out-of-plane vibrations. The calculated vibrational modes are useful in analyzing the Raman bands of histidine residues in proteins.     

Quantum‐chemical study of the spin transition complex [Fe(bt)2(NCS)2] (bt=2,2′‐bithiazoline)

The spin crossover compound [Fe(bt)₂(NCS)₂] has been studied by several density functionals and basis sets. In the calculation, optimized geometries of the compound in the low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐spin states, the vibrational modes and IR spectra, spin splittings energies, excited states, and UV/vis absorption spectra were obtained. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Infrared Spectra of Protonated Coronene and Its Neutral Counterpart in Solid Parahydrogen: Implications for Unidentified Interstellar Infrared Emission Bands

Large protonated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (H⁺PAHs) are possible carriers of unidentified infrared (UIR) emission bands from interstellar objects, but the characterization of infrared (IR) spectra of large H⁺PAHs in the laboratory is challenging. IR absorption spectra of protonated coronene (1‐C₂₄H₁₃⁺) and mono‐hydrogenated coronene (1‐C₂₄H₁₃^.), which were produced upon electron bombardment of parahydrogen containing a small proportion of coronene (C₂₄H₁₂) during matrix deposition, were recorded. The spectra are of a much higher resolution than those obtained by IR multiphoton dissociation by Dopfer and co‐workers. The IR spectra of protonated pyrene and coronene collectively appear to have the required chromophores for features of the UIR bands, and the spectral shifts on an increase in the number of benzenoid rings point in the correct direction towards the positions of the UIR bands. Larger protonated peri‐condensed PAHs might thus be key species among the carriers of UIR bands.     

Photoacoustic spectra and modes of vibration of TNT and RDX at CO2 laser wavelengths

IR spectra in the 'Finger Print' spectral range has great importance in qualitative and quantitative analysis of explosives like trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cyclotrimethyltrinitramine (RDX). Highly resolved IR bands of these compounds have been recorded in the 9.6 and 10.6 microm regions of CO2 laser. TNT and RDX are large molecules each having 21 atoms and it is very difficult to assign the modes of vibrations by comparison with those in other molecules making the vibrational assignments of observed bands a difficult task. The ab initio quantum chemical calculation is used for determining the molecular geometries and modes of vibration of these molecules with a view to assign their normal modes in the high resolution vibrational photoacoustic spectra. These assignments are very reliable in view of the good agreement between the observed and calculated frequencies of deuterated TNT.     

On the Structures,Lifetimes, and Infrared Spectra of Alkylmercury Hydrides

A series of six small alkylmercury hydrides of the general formula RHgH with R=methyl, ethyl, n‐propyl, isopropyl, n‐butyl, and 3‐butenyl were obtained by reduction in vacuo of the corresponding mercury halide with tributyltin hydride in the presence of a radical inhibitor. These very reactive compounds, which have to be removed from the reaction mixture as they are formed, were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The IR spectra of n‐propyl‐, isopropyl‐, n‐butyl‐, and 3‐butenylmercury hydride were recorded for the first time. All compounds were then studied by density functional theory calculations on the basis of a recent theoretical assessment for alkylmercury compounds performed by our group. Comparison of the experimental and theoretical results allowed the assignment of the vibrational modes in an unambiguous way, in spite of the low intrinsic stability of some of the derivatives investigated. The experimental procedure implemented for registering the IR spectra of these unstable species in the gas phase allowed us to obtain reasonable estimates of their lifetimes.     

Vibrational and lifetime line broadenings in ESCA

The line profile of the narrow, symmetric 1s line from neon, recorded with the new ESCA instrument with X-ray monochromatization, is analyzed. The natural linewidth of this line is found to be 0.23 ± 0.02 eV, in good agreement with theoretical calculations of the oscillator strengths for Auger transitions and X-ray emission. Spectra from molecules show frequently asymmetric core electron lines under high resolution. This rules out previous explanations based on a chemical influence on the natural lifetime. Contrary to earlier assumptions, vibrational excitations are shown to be important in core electron spectra. For methane, the vibrational energy spacing is large enough to allow the vibrational lines to be partly resolved. Recent results from accurate PNO CI calculations on methane agree well with the experimental findings. The Franck-Condon transitions in the C1s and N1s lines from CO and N₂ are shown to be well described in the harmonic approximation and approximating the potential curves of the highly excited core hole states with the potential curve for the ground state of NO⁺, X¹ Σ⁺. Knowledge of vibrational excitations in core electron spectra is shown to be valuable in the analysis of high resolution X-ray emission spectra of free molecules.