An Investigation of Protonation Sites and Conformations of Protonated Amino Acids by IRMPD Spectroscopy

The protonation sites and structures of a series of protonated amino acids (Gly, Ala, Pro, Phe, Lys and Ser) are investigated by means of infrared multiple‐photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and electronic‐structure calculations. The IRMPD spectra of the protonated species are recorded using the combination of a free‐electron laser (FEL) and an electrospray‐ion‐trap mass spectrometer. The structures of different possible isomers of these protonated species are optimized at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(d, p) level of theory and the IR spectra calculated using the same computational method. For every amino acid studied herein, the current results indicate that a proton is bound to the α‐amino nitrogen, except for lysine, in which the protonation site is the amino nitrogen in the side chain. According to the calculated and experimental IRMPD results, the structures of the protonated amino acids may be assigned unambiguously. For Gly, Ala, and Pro, in each of the most stable isomers the protonated amino group forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the adjacent carbonyl oxygen. In the case of Gly, the isomer containing a proton bound to the carbonyl oxygen is theoretically possible. However, it does not exist under the experimental conditions because it has a significantly higher energy (i.e. 26.6 kcal mol^?1) relative to the most stable isomer. For Ser and Phe, the protonated amino group forms two intramolecular hydrogen bonds with both the adjacent carbonyl oxygen and the side‐chain group in each of the most stable isomers. In protonated lysine, the protonated amino group in the side chain forms two hydrogen bonds with the α‐amino nitrogen and the carbonyl oxygen, which is a cyclic structure. Interestingly, for protonated lysine the zwitterionic structure is a local minimum energy isomer, but the experimental spectrum indicates that it does not exist under the experimental conditions. This is consistent with the fact that the zwitterionic isomer is 9.2 kcal mol^?1 higher in free energy at 298 K than the most stable isomer. The carbonyl stretching vibration in the range of 1760–1800 cm^?1 is especially sensitive to the structural change. In addition, IRMPD mechanisms for the protonated amino acids are also investigated.     

Mid‐IR Spectroscopy and Structural Features of Protonated Carbonic Acid in the Gas Phase

An anti trihydroxycarbenium ion is revealed to be the gas‐phase structure of protonated carbonic acid by IR multiple‐photon dissociation spectroscopy (see picture for calculated structure and comparison of experimental and computed spectra). Deprotonation yields anti‐H₂CO₃ with a nominal gas‐phase basicity of 724 kJ mol^?1.

     

IR Expert: A New Type of IR Spectroscopy Information System for Solving Spectrum-Structure Problems

This paper discusses the possibilities which the new information system IR EXPERT offers to chemists and spectroscopists. Examples of spectrum-structure problems solved by using the system are discussed — namely, generation of structural hypotheses based on the IR spectrum of the compound, verification of these hypotheses, and construction of empirical models of IR spectra based on the structure of the compound.     

Discovering the Active Sites for C3 Separation in MIL‐100(Fe) by Using Operando IR Spectroscopy

A reducible MIL‐100(Fe) metal–organic framework (MOF) was investigated for the separation of a propane/propene mixture. An operando methodology was applied (for the first time in the case of a MOF) in order to shed light on the separation mechanism. Breakthrough curves were obtained as in traditional separation column experiments, but monitoring the material surface online, thus providing evidences on the adsorption sites. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of Fe^II and, to some extent, Fe^III sites were possible, upon different activation protocols. Moreover, it was possible to identify the nature and the role of the active sites in the separation process by selective poisoning of one family of sites: it was clearly evidenced that the unsaturated Fe^II sites are mainly responsible for the separation effect of the propane/propene mixture, thanks to their affinity for the unsaturated bonds, such as the C?C entities in propene. The activity of the highly concentrated Fe^III sites was also highlighted.     

Isolated β‐Turn Model Systems Investigated by Combined IR/UV Spectroscopy

The functionality of bioactive molecules sensitively depends on their structure. For the investigation of intrinsic structural properties, molecular beam experiments combined with laser spectroscopy have proven to be a suitable tool. Herein we present an analysis of the two isolated tripeptide model systems Ac‐Phe‐Tyr(Me)‐NHMe and Boc‐Phe‐Tyr(Me)‐NHMe. For this purpose, mass‐selective combined IR/UV spectroscopy is applied to both substances in a molecular beam experiment. The comparison of the experimental data with DFT calculations, including different functionals as well as dispersion corrections, allows an assignment of both tripeptide models to β‐turns formed independently from the protection groups and supported by the interaction of the two aromatic chromophores.     

Pairing of Isolated Nucleobases: Double Resonance Laser Spectroscopy of Adenine–Thymine

The vibronic spectrum of the adenine–thymine (A–T) base pair was obtained by one‐color resonant two‐photon ionization (R2PI) spectroscopy in a free jet of thermally evaporated A and T under conditions favorable for formation of small clusters. The onset of the spectrum at 35 064 cm^?1 exhibits a large red shift relative to the π–π* origin of 9H‐adenine at 36 105 cm^?1. The IR–UV spectrum was assigned to cluster structures with HNH???O?C/N???HN hydrogen bonding by comparison with the IR spectra of A and T monomers and with ab initio calculated vibrational spectra of the most stable A–T isomers. The Watson–Crick A–T base pair is not the most stable base‐pair structure at different levels of ab initio theory, and its vibrational spectrum is not in agreement with the observed experimental spectrum. Experiments with methylated A and T were performed to further support the structural assignment.     

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.     

INS,IR, RAMAN, 1H NMR and DFT investigations on dynamical properties of l-asparagine

Results of inelastic neutron scattering (INS), infra-red (IR), Raman and ¹H NMR spectroscopy used for investigations on the l-asparagine dynamics are reported. The crystallographic structure and experimental vibrational spectra are compared with those calculated by the DFT methods applied to the solid state. Very good conformity of the experimental and theoretical structures has been found. The NH₃⁺ torsional vibration mode is observed in the INS spectra at 494 cm⁻¹, while the bands assigned to the vibrations of the strong NH⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed at 2849, 2650, and 2480 cm⁻¹ in the IR spectrum. A ¹H NMR investigation has been carried out at 26.75 MHz in the temperature range 150–300 K. For l-asparagine the activation energy needed for the NH₃⁺ group reorientation is equal 5.6 kcal/mol.     

Evaluation of the efficiency of the concurrent use of IR and mass spectrometry databases for structure elucidation

The applicability of structural analogy to structure elucidation of organic compounds by searching two molecular spectroscopy databases (DBs) is examined. Using structural analogy is based on the representation of DB structures as sets of structural fragments. Of primary concern are the structural fragments that are represented in the search results of both infrared (IR) and mass spectroscopy (MS) DBs. The statistically justified estimates of the efficiency of the combined search depending on the spectral similarity are given.     

Applications of Terahertz Spectroscopy in Biosystems

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopic investigations of condensed‐phase biological samples are reviewed ranging from the simple crystalline forms of amino acids, carbohydrates and polypeptides to the more complex aqueous forms of small proteins, DNA and RNA. Vibrationally resolved studies of crystalline samples have revealed the exquisite sensitivity of THz modes to crystalline order, temperature, conformational form, peptide sequence and local solvate environment and have given unprecedented measures of the binding force constants and anharmonic character of the force fields, properties necessary to improve predictability but not readily obtainable using any other method. These studies have provided benchmark vibrational data on extended periodic structures for direct comparisons with classical (CHARMm) and quantum chemical (density functional theory) theories. For the larger amorphous and/or aqueous phase samples, the THz modes form a continuum‐like absorption that arises because of the full accessibility to conformational space and/or the rapid time scale for inter‐conversion in these environments. Despite severe absorption by liquid water, detailed investigations have uncovered the photo‐ and hydration‐induced conformational flexibility of proteins, the solvent shell depth of the water/biomolecule boundary layers and the solvent reorientation dynamics occurring in these interfacial layers that occur on sub‐picosecond time scales. As such, THz spectroscopy has enhanced and extended the accessibility to intermolecular forces, length‐ and timescales important in biological structure and activity.     

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.     

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.     

Ultrafast Structural Dynamics of Biomolecules Examined by Multiple‐Mode 2D IR Spectroscopy: Anharmonically Coupled Motions are in Harmony

Quantum chemical computations, molecular dynamics simulations, and linear and nonlinear infrared spectral simulations are carried out for four representative biomolecules: cellobiose, alanine tripeptide, L ‐α‐glycerylphosphorylethanolamine, and the DNA base monomer guanine. Anharmonic transition frequencies and anharmonicities for the molecules in vacuum are evaluated. Instantaneous normal‐mode analysis is performed and the vibrational frequency distribution correlations are examined for the molecules solvated in TIP3P water. Many local and regional motions of the biomolecules are predicted to be anharmonically coupled and their vibrational frequencies are predicted to be largely correlated. These coupled and correlated vibrational motions can be easily visualized by pairwise cross peaks in the femtosecond broadband two‐dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectra, which are simulated using time‐domain third‐order nonlinear response functions. A network of distinctive spectral profiles of the 2D IR cross peaks, including peak orientations and positive and negative signal patterns, are shown to be intimately connected with the couplings and correlations. The results show that the vibrational couplings and correlations, driven by solvent interactions and also by intrinsic vibrational interactions, are vibrational mode dependent and thus chemical group dependent, and form the structural and dynamical basis of the anharmonic vibrators that are ubiquitous in biomolecules.