Proton/hydrogen-transfer coordinate of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid investigated in a supersonic beam: combined IR/UV spectroscopy in the S0, S1, and D0 states

Chemphyschem. 2008 Dec 1;9(17):2592-600. doi: 10.1002/cphc.200800499.

Abstract

As a model system for intramolecular proton/hydrogen-transfer coordinates, the structure of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid is investigated for the ground, first electronically excited and also the ionic state. Combined IR/UV spectroscopy in molecular-beam experiments is applied and the experimental results are interpreted by the application of DFT and CASPT2 methods. No proton or hydrogen transfer is observed, but evidence is given for a hydrogen dislocation of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the S(1) state and to lesser extent in the D(0) state. To obtain direct information on the proton/hydrogen-transfer coordinate, IR spectra are recorded both in the region of the OH and especially the CO stretching vibrations by also applying two new variants of combined IR/UV spectroscopy for the S(1) and D(0) states. The CO groups are directly involved in the hydrogen bond and, in contrast to the hydrogen-bonded OH groups, the CO stretching frequencies can be observed in all electronic states.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gentisates / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen
  • Protons
  • Spectrophotometry, Infrared
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Spectrum Analysis

Substances

  • Gentisates
  • Protons
  • Hydrogen