Resonance coupling in the fourth OH-stretching overtone spectrum of formic acid

The room-temperature vibrational overtone spectra of the formic acid isotopomers HCOOH and DCOOH have been recorded in the third and fourth OH-stretching overtone regions with intracavity laser photoacoustic spectroscopy. Resonance coupling between the OH- and CH-stretching vibrations in HCOOH is clearly identified in the fourth overtone region. This is an example of strong coupling across bonds. In the third overtone region, no resonance is observed. Vibrational energies and intensities of the OH- and CH-stretching overtones and combination bands have been calculated with an anharmonic oscillator local mode model. The pure OH-stretching bright state carries almost all the intensity prior to resonance coupling.     

Weak intramolecular interactions in ethylene glycol identified by vapor phase OH-stretching overtone spectroscopy

Vapor phase OH-stretching overtone spectra of ethylene glycol were recorded to investigate weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The spectra were recorded with conventional absorption spectroscopy and laser photoacoustic spectroscopy in the first to fourth OH-stretching overtone regions. The room-temperature spectra are dominated by two conformers that show weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding. A less abundant third conformer, with no sign of hydrogen bonding, is also observed. Vapor phase spectra of the ethylene-d(4) glycol isotopomer were also recorded and used to identify an interfering resonance between CH-stretching and OH-stretching states in the fourth overtone. Anharmonic oscillator local mode calculations of the OH-stretching transitions have provided an accurate simulation of the observed spectra. The local mode parameters were calculated with coupled cluster ab initio methods. The calculations facilitate assignment of the different conformers in the spectra and illustrate the effect of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Influence of intramolecular hydrogen bond strength on OH-stretching overtones

Vapor-phase OH-stretching overtone spectra of 1,3-propanediol and 1,4-butanediol were recorded and compared to the spectra of ethylene glycol to investigate the effect of increased intramolecular hydrogen bond strength on OH-stretching overtone transitions. The spectra were recorded with laser photoacoustic spectroscopy in the second and third OH-stretching overtone regions. The room-temperature spectra of each molecule are dominated by two conformers that show intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Anharmonic oscillator local-mode calculations of the OH-stretching transitions have been performed to aid assignment of the different conformers in the spectra and to illustrate the effect of the intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen bond strength increases in the order ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, and 1,4-butanediol. The overtone transitions of the hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl groups are more difficult to observe with increasing intramolecular hydrogen bond strength. We suggest that the bandwidth of these transitions increases with increasing hydrogen bond strength and with increasing overtone and furthermore that these changes are in part responsible for the lack of observed overtone spectra for complexes.     

First-principle DFT and MP2 modeling of infrared reflection-absorption spectra of oriented helical ethylene glycol oligomers

First-principle modeling is used to obtain a comprehensive understanding of infrared reflection absorption (RA) spectra of helical oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) containing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Highly ordered SAMs of methyl-terminated 1-thiaoligo(ethylene glycols) [HS(CH2CH2O)(n)CH3, n = 5, 6] on gold recently became accessible for systematic infrared analyses [Vanderah et al., Langmuir, 2003, 19, 3752]. We utilized the quoted experimental data to validate the first-principle modeling of infrared RA spectra of HS(CH2CH2O)(5,6)CH3 obtained by (i) DFT methods with gradient corrections (using different basis sets, including 6-311++G) and (ii) HF method followed by a M?ller-Plesset (MP2) correlation energy correction. In focus are fundamental modes in the fingerprint and CH-stretching regions. The frequencies and relative intensities in the calculated spectra for a single molecule are unambiguously identified with the bands observed in the experimental RA spectra of the corresponding SAMs. In addition to confirming our earlier assignment of the dominating peak in the CH-stretching region to CH2 asymmetric stretching vibrations, all other spectral features observed in that region have received an interpretation consistent (but not in all cases coinciding) with previous investigations. The obtained results provide an improved understanding of the orientation and conformation of the molecular building blocks within OEG-containing assemblies, which, in our opinion, is crucial for being able to predict the folding and phase characteristics and interaction of OEG-SAMs with water and proteins.     

Fenchone, camphor, 2-methylenefenchone and 2-methylenecamphor: a vibrational circular dichroism study

We report and discuss the infrared (IR) vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the enantiomeric pairs of the olefin derivatives of fenchone (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane) and camphor (1,7,7-trimethyl-2-methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane), respectively, together with those of the parent molecules. The VCD spectra were taken in three spectral regions: the mid-IR region, encompassing the fundamental deformation modes, the region of CH-stretching fundamental modes and the NIR-region between 1100 and 1300 nm, which corresponds to the second CH-stretching overtone. The VCD and absorption spectra in the first two regions are analyzed by use of current density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The NIR region is analyzed by a protocol that consists of the use of DFT-based calculations and in assuming local mode behavior: the local mode approach is found appropriate for interpreting the absorption spectra and, for the moment, acceptable for calculating NIR-VCD spectra. The analysis of the first region allows us to track the contribution of the C=O group in the vibrational optical activity of C-C stretching modes; notable differences are indeed found in olefins and ketones. On the contrary, in the other two regions the VCD spectra of olefins and ketones are more similar: in the normal mode region of CH stretching fundamentals the spectra are determined by the mutual orientation of the CH bonds; in the second overtone local mode region olefins and ketones signals show some differences.     

CH-overtone regions as diagnostic markers for near-infrared spectroscopic diagnosis of primary cancers in human pancreas and colorectal tissue

We have investigated the application of near-infrared spectroscopy for detection of human primary pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Spectra from cancerous and normal tissue were collected from a total of 37 surgically resected pancreatic and colorectal patient tissue specimens using a fibre-optic probe. Major spectral differences were observed in the CH-stretching first (6,000–5,400 cm⁻¹) and second overtone (9,000–7,900 cm⁻¹) regions. By use of artificial neural networks, linear discriminant analysis, and cluster analysis as pattern-recognition methods the spectra were classified into cancerous and normal tissue groups with accuracy up to 89%. We also explored differences between the spectra obtained from colorectal and pancreatic tissue. Spectral data from cancerous and normal tissue were classified organ-specifically into four groups with accuracy between 80 and 83%. Our results indicate that CH-overtone regions, besides serving as diagnostic markers for NIR spectroscopic diagnosis of primary human pancreas and colorectal cancers, are also useful for elucidating differences between the spectra obtained from colorectal and pancreatic cancerous tissue.     

Intermolecular perturbation of CH-stretching diagonal local-mode anharmonicity in 3-methylpentane

CH-stretching overtone spectra of 3-methylpentane are measured for both liquid and low temperature (77 K) solid phases. A local-mode analysis is used to extract the diagonal local-mode anharmonicity constant. The results show that the local vibrational potential is more harmonic at high viscosity.     

Fourth overtone spectra of OH oscillators in simple alcohols

Fourth overtone (v = 5) spectra of the OH stretch of eight alcohols are reported. Well resolved bands are observed for different conformations of the hydroxyl group about the CO bond axis. Many of the bands exhibit coarse rotational structure, in contrast to overtone bands of CH oscillators in comparable sized hydrocarbons and benzene. Deuteration of the carbon skeleton of methanol, 2-propanol and t-butanol reveals additional structure in the OH overtone spectra.     

Red Blood Cells Polarize Green Laser Light Revealing Hemoglobin′s Enhanced Non‐Fundamental Raman Modes

In general, the first overtone modes produce weak bands that appear at approximately twice the wavenumber value of the fundamental transitions in vibrational spectra. Here, we report the existence of a series of enhanced non‐fundamental bands in resonance Raman (RR) spectra recorded for hemoglobin (Hb) inside the highly concentrated heme environment of the red blood cell (RBC) by exciting with a 514.5 nm laser line. Such bands are most intense when detecting parallel‐polarized light. The enhancement is explained through excitonic theory invoking a type C scattering mechanism and bands have been assigned to overtone and combination bands based on symmetry arguments and polarization measurements. By using malaria diagnosis as an example, we demonstrate that combining the non‐fundamental and fundamental regions of the RR spectrum improves the sensitivity and diagnostic capability of the technique. The discovery will have considerable implications for the ongoing development of Raman spectroscopy for blood disease diagnoses and monitoring heme perturbation in response to environmental stimuli.     

A pulse sequence for directly measuring the anharmonicities of coupled vibrations: Two-quantum two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

We have experimentally demonstrated a pulse sequence for the acquisition of heterodyned two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectra that correlates the overtone and combination bands to the fundamental frequencies. The spectra are generated by Fourier transforming the time domain signal that is allowed to evolve during one- and two-quantum coherence times. In this manner, the overtone and combination bands appear along the two-quantum axis, resulting in a direct determination of the diagonal and off-diagonal anharmonicities. To demonstrate this pulse sequence, we have collected two-quantum 2D IR spectra of a ruthenium dicarbonyl complex, extracted the diagonal and off-diagonal anharmonicities, and simulated the spectra using an exciton model. Several polarization conditions are presented that suppress the diagonal or cross peaks and we have used them to improve the accuracy of the measurement.     

Calculations of overtone NIR and NIR-VCD spectra in the local mode approximation: Camphor and Camphorquinone

We present a method to calculate near-infrared (NIR) and NIR-vibrational circular dichroism (NIR-VCD) spectra up to the second CH-stretching overtone region in the local mode approximation. Atomic polar tensors and atomic axial tensors are first evaluated by DFT methodology for all CH stretching coordinates with systematic positive and negative displacements off-equilibrium and therefrom anharmonic dipole moment functions are constructed by polynomial interpolations. No adjustable parameters are employed up to this point. Rotational and dipole strengths are finally calculated by evaluating transition moments of Morse-type wave-functions. The method is applied to the case of Camphor and Camphorquinone, for which relevant differences in the vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) data are observed, which are predicted by our approach. Further steps are still to be made for a more complete treatment: the ab initio evaluation of mechanical anharmonicity and the introduction of mechanical and electrical coupling between local modes.     

Mass effects on the applicability of a local mode description - an analysis of the high energy overtone spectra of difluoro-, dichloro-, dibromo-, and diiodomethane

The overtone spectra of difluoro-, dichloro-, dibromo-, and diiodomethane are measured in the liquid phase from 6000 to 12000 A. The principal absorption bands in the three latter molecules are assigned to Δυ_CH = 3, 4, 5 and 6 in a pure local mode CH-stretching oscillator. Combination bands between these CH overtones are identified with either local mode combinations or local mode—normal mode combinations. The harmonic local mode frequency and the diagonal local mode anharmonicity constant are obtained for all four molecules. The change in harmonic frequency with halogen substitution is discussed. Off-diagonal local mode and off-diagonal local mode—normal mode anharmonicity constants are derived and their relative magnitudes discussed. The effects of changing mass on the spectrum are pointed out. In particular, it is demonstrated that the Δυ_CH = 3 transition in difluoromethane corresponds to what is expected on the basis of symmetry allowed normal mode components rather than what is expected from the multiple excitation of a local oscillator.     

Molecular interaction of polyimide films probed by using soft-pulse dynamic compression ATR time-resolved infrared and double Fourier-transform based 2D-IR spectroscopy

An improved time-resolved step-scan Fourier transform rheo-optical system, based on the soft-pulse dynamic compression attenuated total reflection (ATR) approach, has been introduced to analyze inter-molecular interactions of poly(p-phenylene bi-phenyltetracarboximide) (BPDA–PDA) and poly(N,N-diphenyl ether bi-phenyltetracarboximide) (BPDA–ODA) films. In order to extract the full range of frequency distributions obtained from soft-pulse dynamic compression time response (relaxation) spectra, the second-Fourier transformation was applied along the relaxation time axis in addition to the interferogram axis. In the case of the BPDA–PDA, distinct periodic higher overtone bands are observed especially at C=O stretching and C=C tangential stretching vibration bands in the FFT relaxation time contour map spectra. For the BPDA–ODA, intensities of higher overtone bands are relatively weak. We have further performed 2D-IR correlation analysis at given Fourier frequencies, which includes molecular interaction information. The results suggest that the existence of molecular interaction between C=O stretching and C=C tangential stretching vibration bands.     

CH-stretching overtone spectroscopy of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane

We have recorded the vibrational absorption spectrum of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) in the fundamental and first five CH-stretching overtone regions with the use of Fourier transform infrared, dispersive long-path, intracavity laser photoacoustic, and cavity ringdown spectroscopies. We compare our measured total oscillator strengths in each region with intensities calculated using an anharmonic oscillator local mode model. We calculate intensities with 1D, 2D, and 3D Hamiltonians, including one or two CH stretches and two CH stretches with the HCH bending mode, respectively. The dipole moment function is calculated ab initio with self-consistent-field Hartree-Fock and density functional theories combined with double- and triple-zeta-quality basis sets. We find that the basis set choice affects the total intensity more than the choice of the Hamiltonian. We achieve agreement between the calculated and measured total intensities of approximately a factor of 2 or better for the fundamental and first five overtones.     

CH-stretching overtone spectra of a fast rotating methyl group: 2-CH3 and 2-CHD2 pyridines

The CH-stretching overtone spectra of the methyl group in gaseous 2-CH(3) and 2-CHD(2) methylpyridines are recorded with conventional Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy in the Deltav(CH) = 1-4 regions and by intracavity laser photoacoustic spectroscopy in the Deltav(CH) = 5 and 6 regions. All spectra exhibit a complex structure. They are analyzed with a theoretical model that incorporates, within the adiabatic approximation, the coupling of the anharmonic CH-stretch vibrations described by Morse potentials with the quasifree internal rotation of the methyl group and with isoenergetic combination states involving the six angle deformation modes of the methyl group. The molecular vibrations are calculated in terms of redundant internal coordinates in an unambiguous canonical form. A simultaneous analysis of different isotopic derivatives is thus achieved. The Fermi resonance coupling parameters are those previously determined for toluene. The technique of diabatic rotations is used to disentangle the multiple avoided crossings occurring along the internal rotation coordinate theta in the calculated spectra, which become rapidly very dense owing to the low symmetry of the system. This simulation is successful in reproducing the experimental spectra. In addition, the transferrability of the Fermi resonance coupling parameters between two parent molecules is demonstrated.     

Sensitive photoacoustic overtone spectroscopy of acetylene with a multipass photoacoustic cell and a colour centre laser at 1.5 μm

Sensitive Doppler-limited overtone spectra of acetylene in the spectral region 6300–6400 cm⁻¹ have been recorded using a single mode NaCl---OH⁻ colour centre laser and a radial resonant photoacoustic multipass cell. We observed some very weak bands which have not been recorded up to now. By comparing our signal strength with direct absorption measurements of some stronger bands, we were able to calculate a minimum detectable absorption coefficient _min ≈ 10⁻⁹ cm⁻¹.     

The OH-stretching and OOH-bending overtone spectrum of HOONO

We have simulated the HOONO vibrational overtone spectrum with use of a local mode Hamiltonian that includes the OH-stretching, OOH-bending, and NOOH-torsional modes and coupling between all three modes. The local mode parameters and the dipole moment function are calculated with coupled-cluster ab initio theory and an augmented Dunning-type triple-zeta basis set. We investigate the accuracy of the local mode parameters obtained from two different potential-energy fitting routines, as well as the sensitivity of these parameters to the basis set employed. We compare our simulated spectra to previously published action spectra in the first and second OH-stretching overtone regions. In addition we have recorded the spectrum in the OH-stretch and OOH-bend combination region around 7700 cm-1 and we also compare to this. Our simulated spectrum is in qualitative agreement with experiment in the first and second OH-stretching overtone and in the stretch-bend regions.     

Overtone spectroscopy of isobutane at cryogenic temperatures

The spectra of the fundamental and overtones of the C---H stretches of (CH₃)₃CH have been measured in liquid argon solutions at 90 K and for the pure liquid sample at 135 K. Absorptions in the visible were obtained with a low temperature cell and a resonant continuous wave laser technique with acoustic detection. Absorptions in the IR and near-IR were observed with a Fourier transform spectrophotometer. Comparison is made between the absorption bands in gas phase, liquid argon solution, and liquid phase isobutane. The spectra of isobutane in solution show improved resolution of the vibrational bands with respect to the room temperature gas phase bands and the pure liquid bands at 135 K. To interpret the experimental results, overtone transitions are described in terms of the local mode model. A harmonically coupled anharmonic oscillator (HCAO) model was used to determine the overtone energy levels and assign the absorption bands to vibrational transitions. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations of geometries and vibrational frequencies were also performed.     

CH-stretching overtone spectra of cis- and trans-1,3-pentadiene

The room-temperature vapor-phase overtone spectra of cis- and trans-1,3-pentadiene (piperylene) have been recorded in the 5000-17500 cm(-1) region with the use of conventional and intracavity laser photoacoustic spectroscopy. The presence of five nonequivalent olefinic CH bonds and one methyl group in each molecule complicates assignment of the spectra. We have used a harmonically coupled anharmonic oscillator local mode model with one oscillator for each of the nonequivalent CH bonds to calculate the CH-stretching overtone spectra and thus facilitate assignment of the spectra. Our calculated spectra are in good agreement with the observed spectra. The observed high overtone spectra are distinctively different despite the similarity of the two molecules and the numerous and broad transitions.     

The meaning of the very different OH bandshapes in infrared fundamental and overtone regions of H-bonded methanol

Infrared spectra of methanol in solvents were discussed in the fundamental and overtone region in dependence on the temperature. One absorption band is observed in the fundamental region of the OH stretching vibration, however, the overtone band is splitted into two or more bands. The intensity ratio of the overtone bands changes characteristically with the temperature and with the H-bond strength. This behavior will be explained by different OH transitions, taking into account the OO vibration. A modified Lippincott-Schroeder procedure was used for the calculations of energy values. The splitting of the overtone bands could be assigned to the transitions E(v=0,v′) → E(v=2,v′) and E(v=0,v′) » E(v=2,v′+1), with v′ as OO vibrational quantum-number.