When Phenyl and Cyclopropyl Rings Meet: Spectroscopic Shifts and Conformational Questions.

The electronic and vibrational spectra of cyclopropylbenzene (CPB) and 1,3-bromocyclopropylbenzene (BrCPB) in the gas phase were investigated using quantum chemical calculations in combination with resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization REMPI techniques including 1c-R2PI, UV-UV holeburning, and IR-UV ion depletion in the CH stretch region. The electronic spectra revealed the presence of a single conformer for both species, with the absence of any perpendicular conformer attributed to low computed barriers to conformer interconversion. Assignment of CPB to the bisected conformer was made through interpreting distinctive CH stretch bands in the IR-UV spectrum in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations. A local anharmonic model based on DFT calculations was adapted to reproduce the cyclopropyl CH stretch spectrum successfully. It was not feasible to definitively assign which bisected conformer of BrCPB was observed using vibrational information alone due to the close similarity of their predicted IR spectra. However, conformational sensitivity of the S1 ← S0 transition dipole moment (TDM) alignments leads to simulated rotational contours that display stark differences, which prompted assignment to the "B1" bisecting conformer with the cyclopropyl ring directed away from the bromine atom. The absence of the energetically comparable "B2" conformer is unexpected. The analysis of the convolution of aromatic and aliphatic modes serves as a basis for assignment in constrained aliphatic systems.

Conformer Specific Ultraviolet and Infrared Detection of Nicotine in the Vapor Phase.

A gas-phase electronic spectrum of nicotine in a supersonic expansion has been recorded using two-color resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. Efficient photoionization was achievable only via the pyridine chromophore owing to poor Franck-Condon overlap in the N-methylpyrrolidine moiety. Two conformers of nicotine have been characterized and assigned by infrared-ultraviolet (IR-UV) ion depletion and IR-UV hole-burning spectroscopy, in combination with quantum chemical techniques. Trans-A with nitrogen atoms further apart is more stable by 2 kJ mol-1 and the most populated conformer in the supersonic jet, owing this stability to a stronger inter-ring CH···N hydrogen bond than the trans-B counterpart.

Halocarbons as hydrogen bond acceptors: a spectroscopic study of haloethylbenzenes (PhCH2CH2X, X = F, Cl, Br) and their hydrate clusters.

The electronic spectra of 2-bromoethylbenzene and its chloro and fluoro analogues have been recorded by resonant two-photon ionisation (R2PI) spectroscopy. Anti and gauche conformers have been assigned by rotational band contour analysis and IR-UV ion depletion spectroscopy in the CH region. Hydrate clusters of the anti conformers have also been observed, allowing the role of halocarbons as hydrogen bond acceptors to be examined in this context. The donor OH stretch of water bound to chlorine is red-shifted by 36 cm-1, or 39 cm-1 in the case of bromine. Although classed as weak H-bond acceptors, halocarbons are favourable acceptor sites compared to π systems. Fluorine stands out as the weakest H-bond acceptor amongst the halogens. Chlorine and bromine are also weak H-bond acceptors, but allow for more geometric lability, facilitating complimentary secondary interactions within the host molecule. Ab initio and DFT quantum chemical calculations, both harmonic and anharmonic, aid the structural assignments and analysis.

Thiols as Hydrogen Bond Acceptors and Donors: Spectroscopy of 2-Phenylethanethiol Complexes.

Evidence and understanding of sulfur-centered hydrogen bonding, especially where the donor is a thiol, lags far behind that for conventional OH interactions. To help address this deficiency, conformer specific IR spectra of 2-phenylethanethiol (PET) and associated 1:1 solvent complexes have been measured in SH, OH, and CH stretch regions using resonant-two-photon-ionization (R2PI) and IR-UV ion dip spectroscopic techniques. The aromatic and aliphatic CH stretch regions show signature differences between anti and gauche conformers. Supported by ab initio calculations, a PET-water cluster with an OH···S arrangement and a PET-diethyl ether cluster expressing an SH···O interaction were identified. The SH stretch band of the SH···O complex is red-shifted and undergoes significant intensity enhancement compared to the bare molecule, which is characteristic of hydrogen bonding. These findings offer insight into the nature of the thiol functional group as a potential hydrogen bond donor and acceptor.

Heavy snow: IR spectroscopy of isotope mixed crystalline water ice.

Mid-infrared spectra have been measured for crystalline water ice aerosols of widely varied H/D isotopic composition. Particles with diameters ranging from 10-200 nm were generated via rapid collisional cooling with a cold buffer gas over a range of temperatures from 7-200 K. In near isotopically pure ices, the νL band position is slightly red-shifted with increasing temperature whilst in the ν2 region apparently anomalous shifts in peak maxima are explained by the contribution of a broad 2νL band of H2O and a 3νL band of D2O together with ν2 intensity that is particularly weak in low temperature crystalline ice. The hydrogen bonded OH (or OD) oscillator bands of near pure H2O (or D2O) ices are blue-shifted with temperature, with a gradient very similar to that of the corresponding band in isotope diluted samples, HOD in D2O (or H2O). It implies that this observed temperature trend is predominantly due to the intrinsic change in local hydride stretch potential energy, rather than to changes in intermolecular coupling. However, it is also observed that the narrow hydride stretch bands of an isotope diluted sample rapidly develop sub-band structure as the oscillator concentration increases, evidence of strong intermolecular coupling and a high degree of delocalisation. Anomalous blue-shifts in the OD stretch profile as D2O concentration grows is attributable to Fermi resonance with 2ν2 of D2O, in much closer proximity than the corresponding H2O levels. Theoretical results from a mixed quantum/classical approach are used to validate these findings in the hydride stretching region. Theory qualitatively reproduces the experimental trends as a function of temperature and isotopic variance.

The limits of rovibrational analysis: the severely entangled ν1 Polyad vibration of dichlorodifluoromethane in the greenhouse IR window.

Five intense bands of dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12, or R12) in the infrared atmospheric window help make it a major greenhouse contributor. These include the ν1 fundamental at 1101.4 cm(-1) and the ν2 + ν3 combination at 1128.6 cm(-1). High-resolution spectra measured using the Australian Synchrotron Far-Infrared beamline were analyzed, and transitions of C(35)Cl2F2 were assigned to ν1, ν2 + ν3, and the ν3 + 2ν5 combination at 1099.7 cm(-1). The (v3 = 1; v5 = 2) state couples indirectly to v1 = 1 via Fermi resonances linking both states with v2 = v3 = 1. The v1 = 1 rotational levels are further riddled with perturbations and avoided crossings due to Coriolis resonance with the upper vibrational states of ν2 + ν9 at 1102.4 cm(-1) and (indirectly) ν2 + ν7 at 1105.8 cm(-1). A global treatment of all these states fits the observed line positions and satisfactorily accounts for the significant intensity of ν2 + ν3. Spectral simulations elucidate resonance perturbations that affect the distribution of IR absorption in the CF stretch region, and consequently the global warming potential of R12. Combination levels derived from rovibrational analysis lead to reassessment of the gas phase wavenumber values for the ν3 (458.6 cm(-1)), ν7 (437.7 cm(-1)) and ν9 (436.9 cm(-1)) fundamentals of C(35)Cl2F2, consistent with a cold, vapor phase far IR spectrum and previously published solid state spectra. B3LYP and MP2 anharmonic frequency calculations provide further support. At the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level, the root mean square (r.m.s.) error for unscaled anharmonic fundamentals is 6.2 cm(-1), decreased to 1.7 cm(-1) if only considering the seven lowest wavenumber modes, and integrated band intensities according with experimental literature values. Smaller basis sets produce band strengths that are too high. Low-resolution band assignments are reported for C(35)Cl(37)ClF2, C(37)Cl2F2, and (13)C(35)Cl2F2.

Vibrational anharmonicities and reactivity of tetrafluoroethylene.

Compared to ethylene and its nonfluorinated derivatives, C(2)F(4) is peculiar in many reactions. It very easily adds to radicals and prefers formation of four-membered rings over Diels-Alder reactions. This has been rationalized by the preference of fluorine for carbon sp(3) hybridization, which is possible on opening of the double bond. Another property, the thermal dissociation of the C ═ C bond, has been explained by the stabilization of the product (CF(2)) by back-bonding. Here, it is attempted to correlate such properties with vibrational constants, in particular for C ═ C stretching and twisting and for carbon pyramidalization. The only force constant found to be lowered compared to ethylene is that for trans pyramidalization (ν(8)), and CC bond softening on ν(8) distortion is indicated by the conspicuously large magnitude of anharmonic constant, x(18). Both observations can be rationalized by a valence-bond model that predicts a trans bent structure on weakening the CC bond. Conclusions are drawn about the dissociation path and peculiarities of the potential. Other anharmonicities, both experimental and calculated and some in (12)C(13)CF(4) and (13)C(2)F(4), are also discussed. In particular some strong Fermi resonances are identified and their effects accounted for.

IR Band profiling of dichlorodifluoromethane in the greenhouse window: high-resolution FTIR spectroscopy of ν2 and ν8.

The IR spectrum of dichlorodifluoromethane (i.e., R12 or Freon-12) is central to its role as a major greenhouse contributor. In this study, high-resolution (0.000 96 cm(-1)) Fourier transform infrared spectra have been measured for R12 samples either cooled to around 150 K or at ambient temperature using facilities on the infrared beamline of the Australian Synchrotron. Over 14,000 lines of C(35)Cl2F2 and C(35)Cl(37)ClF2 were assigned to the b-type ν2 band centered around 668 cm(-1). For the c-type ν8 band at 1161 cm(-1), over 10,000 lines were assigned to the two isotopologues. Rovibrational fits resulted in upper state constants for all these band systems. Localized avoided crossings in the ν8 system of C(35)Cl2F2, resulting from both a direct b-axis Coriolis interaction with ν3 + ν4 + ν7 and an indirect interaction with ν3 + ν4 + ν9, were treated. An improved set of ground state constants for C(35)Cl(37)ClF2 was obtained by a combined fit of IR ground state combination differences and previously published millimeter wave lines. Together these new sets of constants allow for accurate prediction of these bands and direct comparison with satellite data to enable accurate quantification.

Water ice nanoparticles: size and temperature effects on the mid-infrared spectrum.

Mid-infrared spectra have been measured for cubic ice (I(c)) nanoparticles (3-150 nm diameter) formed by rapid collisional cooling over a wide range of temperatures (5-209 K). Spectral diagnostics, such as the ratio of surface related dangling OH to interior H-bonded OH stretch bands, reveal the manner in which particle size depends on bath gas temperature and density, and on water molecule concentration. For particles smaller than 5 nm strained intermolecular bonds on the surface and subsurface cause the predominant OH stretch peak position to be dramatically blue shifted by up to 40 cm(-1). In the size regime of 8-200 nm the position of the OH stretch absorption band maximum is relatively unaffected by particle size and it is possible to measure the temperature dependence of the peak location without influences from the surface or scattering. The band maximum shifts in a linear fashion from 3218 cm(-1) at 30 K to 3253 cm(-1) at 209 K, which may assist with temperature profiling of ice particles in atmospheric clouds and extraterrestrial systems. Over the same temperature range the librational mode band shifts very little, from 870 to 860 cm(-1). In the water stretching and bending regions discrete spectral features associated with the surface or sub-surface layers have been detected in particles as large as 80 nm.

A sting in the tail of flexible molecules: spectroscopic and energetic challenges in the case of p-aminophenethylamine.

The neurotransmitter analogue p-aminophenethylamine (APEA) illustrates many of the pitfalls and challenges associated with spectroscopic and conformational analysis of flexible molecules. The combined experimental-theoretical study presented here resolves a long-standing controversy over its conformational energetic preferences. Jet-cooled resonance enhanced two-photon ionisation (R2PI) and IR-UV ion depletion techniques enabled conformer-specific IR spectra in the NH-CH stretch region to be measured for four distinct conformers of APEA. Comparison of spectra with theoretical calculations (including MP2, M06-2X and B3LYP with aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets) allows the two most populated conformers to be unambiguously identified as those having a gauche arrangement of the side chain, which facilitates an NH···π type hydrogen bond. The other two observed conformers are assigned to structures with an anti-side chain. A fifth gauche conformer, predicted to be least stable, is not observed. Comparison with published conformer specific IR spectra of tyramine (Makara et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, 2008, 112, 13463-13469) and Raman spectra of phenylethylamine (Golan et al., J. Chem. Phys., 2009, 131, 024305) reveals an entirely consistent pattern of spectral signatures associated with the four specific conformations of the ethylamine side chain evident in APEA, and aids assignment of the associated CH and NH stretch fundamentals, some of which have very weak IR intensities. Extensive calculations of the relative energetic trends of the five conformers have been carried out. In comparison to the highest level of theory considered, CCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pVDZ-F12, MP2 overestimate the energy difference, whereas DFT significantly underestimates the energetic preference for NH···π stabilised gauche conformers, although inclusion of dispersion (M06-2X, B3LYP-D3) improves the DFT results.

Electronic spectra of gas-phase polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycle cations: isoquinoline+ and quinoline+.

Electronic spectra of the gas-phase isoquinoline(+)-Ar and quinoline(+)-Ar complexes are recorded using photodissociation spectroscopy by monitoring the Ar loss channel. The D(3)←D(0) and D(4)←D(0) band origins for isoquinoline(+)-Ar are observed at 15245 ± 15 cm(-1) and 21960 ± 15 cm(-1), respectively, whereas for quinoline(+)-Ar they appear at 16050 ± 15 cm(-1) and 21955 ± 15 cm(-1), respectively. Strong vibronic progressions for the D(3)←D(0) band systems of both isoquinoline(+)-Ar and quinoline(+)-Ar are modeled and assigned in terms of ring deformation and carbon-carbon stretch vibrational modes using time-dependent density functional theory calculations in conjunction with Franck-Condon simulations. The properties of the isoquinoline(+) and quinoline(+) molecules are compared with those of the isoelectronic naphthalene(+) molecule. The existence of strong progressions in the visible spectra of isoquinoline(+)-Ar and quinoline(+)-Ar suggests that the corresponding isoquinoline(+) and quinoline(+) molecular cations are unlikely to be responsible for diffuse interstellar bands.

Microwave spectrum, structure, tautomeric, and conformational composition of 4-vinylimidazole.

The microwave spectra of the two conformers each, of the 1H and 3H tautomers of 4-vinylimidazole, have been measured in the 48-72 GHz spectral region. The 4-vinylimidazole was generated in situ by the facile decarboxylation of urocanic acid at its vaporization temperature of 220 °C. The recognition of this reaction casts doubt on the reliability of a previous published spectroscopic study apparently mistakenly thought to be of uncontaminated vaporized urocanic acid, a natural product of great interest in skin cancer etiology. Quantum chemical theoretical predictions of the structures of each of ten possible conformers∕tautomers of urocanic acid and four of 4-vinylimidazole were performed at the ab initio MP2∕cc-pVTZ level, with vibrational predictions at the B3LYP∕cc-pVTZ and M062X∕cc-pVTZ levels. The predicted values of rotational constants for all the urocanic acid species were found to be quite inconsistent with those of the four observed spectra. For the 4-vinylimidazole isomers, the calculated relative energies suggested that all four species would have substantial equilibrium mole fractions at 220 °C. The isomers were identified by matching the observed and calculated rotational constants. The resulting assignment was found to be consistent with the predicted and observed (14)N nuclear quadrupole hyperfine multiplet patterns for a suitable rotational transition, and with the observed versus empirically calculated inertial defects. With one exception, the predicted structures were found to be planar. Resembling the case of 1-vinylimidazole, where one conformer is nonplanar, one isomer of 4-vinylimidazole was found to be quasiplanar. This seems to belong to a class of spontaneous symmetry-breaking observed in the molecular structure of some otherwise planar vinyl aromatic compounds.

High-resolution FTIR spectroscopy of the ν8 and Coriolis perturbation allowed ν12 bands of ketenimine.

High resolution FTIR spectra have been recorded in the region 250-770 cm(-1) using synchrotron radiation and over 2000 transitions to the ν(8) and ν(12) states of the short lived species ketenimine have been assigned. Ground state combination differences combined with published microwave transitions were used to refine the constants for the ground vibrational state. Rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters for the v(8) = 1 and v(12) = 1 levels were determined by co-fitting transitions, and treating a strong a-axis Coriolis interaction. Selection rules for the observed ν(12) transitions indicate that they arise solely from "perturbation allowed" intensity resulting from this Coriolis interaction.

High-resolution Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of the ν6 and Coriolis perturbation allowed ν10 modes of ketenimine.

High-resolution FTIR spectra of the short lived species ketenimine have been recorded in the region 700-1300 cm(-1) and over 1500 transitions of the ν(10) and ν(6) modes have been assigned. Effective rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters for the v(10) = 1 and v(6) = 1 (excluding K(a) = 5) states were determined by co-fitting transitions, and treating strong a- and c-axis Coriolis interactions between them. Other perturbations attributed to interactions with the v(8) = 2 and v(12) = 1 + v(8) = 1 dark-states were also observed and treated. The ν(10) transitions are predicted to be inherently very weak, but are enhanced by an intensity stealing effect with the highly IR active ν(6) mode. A mechanism for this intensity stealing in ketenimine is also detailed.

High-resolution Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of the Coriolis coupled ground state and ν7 mode of ketenimine.

High resolution FTIR spectra of the short lived species ketenimine have been recorded in the regions 390-1300 cm(-1) and 20-110 cm(-1) using synchrotron radiation. Two thousand six hundred sixty transitions of the ν(7) band centered at 693 cm(-1) and 126 far-IR rotational transitions have been assigned. Rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters for the ν(7) mode were determined and local Fermi and b-axis Coriolis interactions with 2ν(12) are treated. A further refinement of the ground state, ν(12) and ν(8) parameters was also achieved, including the treatment of previously unrecognized ac-axis and ab-axis second order perturbations to the ground state.

Overview of high-resolution infrared measurement and analysis for atmospheric monitoring of halocarbons.

The current state of the art in recording and analyzing rotationally resolved vibration-rotation bands of atmospheric pollutant halocarbon species is reviewed. It is shown that in order to obtain molecular constants of sufficient accuracy to simulate the vibration-rotation structure over the range of atmospheric temperatures, it is necessary to obtain spectra at a range of temperatures using static cooling cells, supersonic jet expansions, and collisional cooling devices; employ sophisticated pattern recognition and analysis software; assign and fit spectral perturbations; and use spectral simulation and digital spectral subtraction (SASSI) to further simplify spectral bands for analysis. To demonstrate the techniques, an analysis of the ν(5) band of CH(37)ClF(2) in natural abundance is presented.

A spectroscopic study of nicotine analogue 2-phenylpyrrolidine (PPD) using resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI), microwave, and 2D NMR techniques.

Conformational preferences of the nicotine analogue 2-phenylpyrrolidine (PPD) have been studied in both gaseous and solution phases. Theoretical calculations at the MP2 and B3LYP levels point to 5-6 stable conformers which differ in three degrees of conformational freedom; torsion between the two rings, inversion at the pyrrolidine (PY) amine, and PY ring puckering, characterized using the Cremer-Pople definition for pseudorotation. Only one conformer has a trans arrangement between the amino hydrogen and the phenyl substituent. It is 6-8 kJ mol(-1) more stable than the cis conformers, has a perpendicular ring arrangement, and puckers at the nitrogen atom--similar to structures reported for nicotine. Resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) data, including hole burn spectra, indicate only one conformer is present in the free jet expansion, and band contour analysis suggests assignment to the trans conformer. Confirmation was provided by microwave spectroscopy. Fifty-seven lines measured in the 48-72 GHz region were assigned to 206 b-type transitions and fitted to yield rotational constants within 2 MHz of MP2 values predicted for the trans conformer. The solution-phase conformers of PPD were studied using 1D and 2D (1)H NMR spectroscopy and solvent-based theoretical calculations. In marked contrast to the gas phase, NMR data reveals only cis conformers present in solution. Calculations confirm increased stability for these conformers when placed in simulated chloroform or water environments. Solvent molecules are believed to disrupt a crucial N...H(ortho) stabilizing interaction present within the trans conformer.

An experimental and theoretical study of NSCl decomposition in the presence of trace amounts of water.

An experimental and density functional theory study of the decomposition reaction of NSCl with water molecule(s) into NH 3 and SO 2 is described. Experiments involving the decomposition of NSCl in the presence of trace amounts of water showed that the formation of both HNSO and SO 2 is faster when the cell and the cell surface are fresh and more likely to be coated in adsorbed water. The density functional theory computational results suggest that the decomposition involves two main steps: reactions 1 NSCl + nH 2O --> HNSO + ( n - 1) H 2O + HCl and 2 HNSO + nH 2O --> NH 3 + SO 2 + ( n - 1)H 2O. The barrier for reaction 1 in which NSCl decomposes to form HNSO becomes substantially lower when the explicit hydrogen bonding of water molecules is considered. The water assisted decomposition reaction mechanism can help account for the experimentally observed conversion of NSCl to produce HNSO in the presence of water. The calculated barrier of reaction 2 (the decomposition of HNSO into NH 3 and SO 2) can also explain the experimental observation of SO 2 bands from the decomposition of NSCl in the presence of water.

Comment on gas phase infrared spectrum and ab initio calculations of phosphorus(III) thiocyanide, SPCN.

We show that two of the three bands assigned to SPCN are assignable to cyanogen and that the bands assigned to SPCl are done so in error, with the 712 cm(-1) band in the spectrum of Allaf and Odeh assignable to HCN. There is no evidence for either ClPS or SPCN in the spectra shown. Finally low resolution IR spectroscopy by itself, whilst useful in assisting in the identification of pyrolysis products does not provide unambiguous identification and requires support by rigorous computation, band modelling and correct use of the literature. None of these are evidenced in the present paper of Allaf and Odeh nor indeed in the work that was the subject of our previous criticism and re-analysis.

Analysis of 5-hydroxyisoflavones by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy: genistein and methoxy derivatives.

A series of 5-hydroxy-isoflavones-genistein, biochanin A, prunetin, and 4',7-dimethoxygenistein-have been studied by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Citrate reduced silver colloids were employed as a standard technique to measure SER spectra over a range of pH and concentrations. Density functional theory calculations were used to assist in determining the mode of interaction of isoflavones with the silver nanoparticles. It is revealed that biochanin A and prunetin interact with the silver nanoparticles upon deprotonation of the 7- and the 4'-OH groups, respectively, to show SERS activity. Correlations of their spectra with SERS of genistein strongly support the presence of multiple interaction modes involving both of the OH groups in genistein, in a similar manner to daidzein. Surprisingly, however, under these conditions, the 5-OH group was found to be noninteractive as revealed by attempts to measure SERS of 4',7-dimethoxygenistein. This was attributed partly to the low solubility and, more importantly, to the influence of steric hindrance, caused by the position of the pendant phenyl ring, which prevented interaction with the Ag colloid surface. These results complement recent work on daidzein and formononetin and provide further insight into understanding the SER spectra of isoflavones.