Raman spectral conformational order indicators in perdeuterated alkyl chain systems

Conformational order indicators for perdeuterated alkyl chain systems are identified in the Raman spectra of nonadecane-d40, polyethylene-d4, and stearic acid-d35. Six spectral indicators are identified: I[nu(a)(CD2)2196]/I[nu(a)(CD2)2172], I[nu(C-C)G]/I[nu(C-C)T], I[nu(s)(CD3)]/I[nu(a)(CD2)2172], I[nu(s)(CD2)]/I[nu(a)(CD2)2172], and the full width at half-maximum (fwhm) and frequency of the nu(s)(CD2) mode. Among these indicators, the ratio of I[nu(a)(CD2)2196]/I[nu(a)(CD2)2172] is considered a primary indicator of conformational order, since it responds to alkyl chain conformational changes in a manner similar to the I[nu(a)(CH2)]/I[nu(s)(CH2)] primary indicator for hydrogenated systems. Other indicators are correlated to this primary indicator to derive a better understanding of the effect of structural attributes on conformational order in perdeuterated alkyl chain systems. These Raman spectral order indicators are applicable to any perdeuterated alkyl-containing system including lipids, biological membranes, alkylsilane-based chromatographic stationary phases, and self-assembled monolayers.