The oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in Photosystem II (PSII) is a hallmark catalyst for efficiently splitting water to generate molecular oxygen. Much of what is known about the structure of the OEC has been provided by X-ray analysis of PSII at low temperatures, from which the mechanism of water splitting has been inferred. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) offers an opportunity to build on our current understanding of this catalytic system as it can provide time-resolved, molecular vibrational information in a physiological environment. With low frequency SERS, we are able to separate the manganese oxide vibrational modes of the OEC from those in a complex, biological environment. With isotopically labelled water, we use SERS to identify water binding to the OEC. Raman spectra calculated by density functional theory support the assignment of water binding to a manganese atom outside of the cuboidal OEC. Detection of water binding sites on the OEC with SERS can not only compliment previous structural studies, but can also provide a powerful platform for in operando mechanistic studies.

Physicochemical processes brought about by non-covalent interactions between neighboring molecules are undeniably of crucial importance in the world around us, being responsible for effects ranging from the subtle (yet precise) control of biomolecular recognition events to the very existence of condensed phases. Of particular interest is the differential ability of distinct non-covalent forces, such as those mediated by dispersion-dominated aryl (π-π) coupling and electrostatically-driven hydrogen bonding, to affect unimolecular transformations by altering potential surface topographies and the nature of reaction coordinates. A concerted experimental and computational investigation of “microsolvation” (solvation at the molecular level) has been undertaken to elucidate the site-specific coupling between solute and solvent degrees of freedom, as well as attendant consequences for the efficiency and pathway of intrinsic proton-transfer dynamics. Targeted species have been synthesized in situ under “cold” supersonic free-jet expansion conditions (T_rot ≈ 1-2K) by complexing an active (proton-transfer) substrate with various ligands (e.g., water isotopologs and benzene derivatives) for which competing interaction mechanisms can lead to unique binding motifs. A series of fluorescence-based spectroscopic measurements have been performed on binary adducts formed with the prototypical 6-hydroxy-2-formylfulvene (HFF) system, where a quasi-linear intramolecular O–H···O bond and a zero-point energy that straddles the proton-transfer barrier crest synergistically yield the largest tunneling-induced splitting ever reported for the ground electronic state of an isolated neutral molecule. Such characteristics afford a localized metric for unraveling incipient changes in unimolecular reactivity, with comparison of experimentally observed and quantum-chemical predicted rovibronic landscapes serving to discriminate complexes built upon electrostatic (hydrogen-bonding) and dispersive (aryl-coupling) forces.

As the simplest carboxylic acid, formic acid (FA) is an excellent model molecule to investigate the general properties of carboxylic acids. FA is also an atmospherically and astrophysically relevant molecule. It is well known that its dimeric form is predominant in the gas phase at temperatures below 423 K.T. Miyazawa and K. S. Pitzer, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 81, 74, 1959he cyclic conformation of the dimer (FACD) is an elementary system to be understood for the concerted hydrogen transfer through equivalent hydrogen bonds, an essential process within biomolecules. The IR range is a crucial spectral region, particularly the far-IR, as it gives a direct access to the intermolecular vibrational modes involved in this process. Moreover, due to its centrosymmetric conformation, the FACD exhibits no pure rotation spectrum and, due to spectral line congestion and Doppler broadening, IR bands cannot be rotationally resolved at room temperature.R. Georges, M. Freytes, D. Hurtmans, I. Kleiner, J. Vander Auwera, M. Herman, Chem. Phys. 305, 187, 2004o far, only parts of the ν₅-GS band (C-O stretch) have been observed under jet-cooled conditions using laser techniques.M. Ortlieb and M. Havenith, J. Phys. Chem. A 111, 7355, 2007; K. G. Goroya, Y. Zhu, P. Sun and C. Duan, J. Chem. Phys. 140, 164311, 2014 We present here six rotationally resolved IR bands of FACD recorded under jet-cooled conditions using the Jet-AILES apparatus and the QCL spectrometer at MONARIS, including the far-IR ν₂₄-GS band (intermolecular in-plane bending). Splitting due to vibration-rotation-tunneling motions are clearly observed. A full spectral analysis is in progress starting from the GS constants obtained by Goroya et al. and with the support of electronic structure calculations.This work is supported by the CaPPA project (Chemical and Physical Properties of the Atmosphere) ANR-11-LABX-0005-01html:<hr /><h3>Footnotes: T. Miyazawa and K. S. Pitzer, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 81, 74, 1959T R. Georges, M. Freytes, D. Hurtmans, I. Kleiner, J. Vander Auwera, M. Herman, Chem. Phys. 305, 187, 2004S M. Ortlieb and M. Havenith, J. Phys. Chem. A 111, 7355, 2007; K. G. Goroya, Y. Zhu, P. Sun and C. Duan, J. Chem. Phys. 140, 164311, 2014 This work is supported by the CaPPA project (Chemical and Physical Properties of the Atmosphere) ANR-11-LABX-0005-01

The pure rotational spectra of 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid, CF₃CH₂CH₂COOH, and its complex with formic acid, were studied by a pulsed nozzle, chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer in the frequency range of 8-12 GHz. The rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants were determined for the first time. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out exploring possible conformations of 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric and the structure of the 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid-formic acid complex using B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. The experimental spectroscopic constants are compared to those obtained from ab initio calculations.

The microscopic properties of water that are relevant for bulk solvation processes are still not fully understood. Here, we combine mass selective Helium nanodroplet spectroscopy with the powerful Terahertz (THz) and far-infrared (FIR) capabilities of the free electron laser facility FELIX to study the fingerprint of small neutral water clusters in the wavelength range from 90-900cm⁻¹. Helium nanodroplets are a gentle, superfluid matrix and allow aggregation of pre-cooled moieties at ultra-cold temperatures (0.37 K). The fast cooling rate allows in some cases to stabilize not only the global minimum structure but also local minimum structures. The FELIX facility in Nijmegen provides narrowband (∆ν/ ν = 0.5%) pulsed radation covering the frequency range from 80-3300 cm⁻¹. We used a repetition rate of 10 Hz and typical pulse energies from 10 mJ at the 90cm⁻¹and 40 mJ at 900cm⁻¹. This corresponds to average powers of 100-400 mW far beyond those available using other radiation sources in this frequency range. The observed spectrum is exceptionally rich and includes lines that are close to or below our resolution limit. By mass selective detection and by varying the pickup pressure, we were able to identify contributions from dimer, trimer, tetramer and pentamer. The number of resonances indicates stabilization of at least two trimer structures in He nanodroplets. A comparison with theoretical predictions is on the way. We are confident that our experiments will contribute to understand the very special behavior of water in a bottom up approach.

Many biological processes, such as chemical recognition and protein folding, are mainly controlled by the interplay of hydrogen bonds and dispersive forces. This interplay also occurs between organic molecules and solvent water molecules. Broadband rotational spectroscopy studies of weakly bound complexes are able to accurately reveal the structures and internal dynamics of molecular clusters isolated in the gas phase. Amongst them, water clusters with organic molecules are of particular interest. In this work, we investigate the interplay between different types of weak intermolecular interactions and how it controls the preferred interaction sites of aromatic ethers, where dispersive interactions may play a significant role. We present our results on diphenyl ether (C₁₂H₁₀O, 1,1'-Oxydibenzene) complexed with up to three molecules of water. Diphenyl ether is a flexible molecule, and it offers two competing binding sites for water: the ether oxygen and the aromatic π system. In order to determine the structure of the diphenyl ether-water complexes, we targeted transitions in the 2-8 GHz range using broadband rotational spectroscopy. We identify two isomers with one water, one with two water, and one with three water molecules. Further analysis from isotopic substitution measurements provided accurate structural information. The preferred interactions, as well as the observed structural changes induced upon complexation, will be presented and discussed.

Hydantoin (Imidazolidine-2,4-dione, C₃H₄N₂O₂) is a five-membered heterocyclic compound of astrobiological interest. This molecule has been detected in carbonaceous chondrites [1], and its formation can rise from the presence of glycolic acid and urea, two prebiotic molecules [2]. The hydrolysis of hydantoin under acidic conditions can also produce glycine [3], an amino acid actively searched for in the interstellar medium. Spectroscopic data of hydantoin is very limited and mostly dedicated to the solid phase. The high resolution study in gas phase is restricted to the work recently published by Ozeki et al. reporting the pure rotational spectra of the ground state and two vibrational states of the molecule in the millimeter-wave region (90-370 GHz)[4]. Using chirped-pulse Fourier-transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy, we recorded the jet-cooled rotational spectra of hydantoin with water between 2 to 8 GHz. We observed the ground state of hydantoin monomer and several water complexes with one or two water molecules. All the observed species exhibit a hyperfine structure due to the two nitrogen atoms present in the molecule, which were fully resolved and analyzed. Additional experiments with a ¹⁸O enriched water sample were realized to determine the oxygen-atom positions of the water monomers. These experiments yielded accurate structural information on the preferred water binding sites. The observed complexes and the interactions that hold them together, mainly strong directional hydrogen bonds, will be presented and discussed. [1] Shimoyama, A. and Ogasawara, R., Orig. Life Evol. Biosph., 32, 165-179, 2002. DOI:10.1023/A:1016015319112. [2] Menor-Salván, C. and Marín-Yaseli, M.R., Chem. Soc. Rev., 41(16), 5404-5415, 2012. DOI:10.1039/c2cs35060b. [3] De Marcellus P., Bertrand M., Nuevo M., Westall F. and Le Sergeant d'Hendecourt L., Astrobiology. 11(9), 847-854, 2011. DOI:10.1089/ast.2011.0677. [4] Ozeki, H., Miyahara R., Ihara H., Todaka S., Kobayashi K., and Ohishi M., Astron. Astrophys., Forthcoming article (Accepted: 12 January 2017), DOI:10.1051/0004-6361/201629880.

The water complex of acetic sulfuric anhydride (ASA, CH₃COOSO₂OH) has been observed by pulsed nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. ASA is formed in situ in the supersonic jet via the reaction of SO₃ and acetic acid and subsequently forms a complex with water during the expansion. Spectra of the parent and fully deuterated form, as well as those of the species derived from CH₃¹³COOH, have been observed. The fitted internal rotation barrier of the methyl group is 219.599(21), cm⁻¹indicating the complexation with water lowers the internal rotation barrier of the methyl group by 9% relative to that of free ASA. The observed species is one of several isomers identified theoretically in which the water inserts into the intramolecular hydrogen bond of the ASA. Aspects of the intermolecular potential energy surface are discussed.

Titanium oxide catalysts are some of the most promising photocatalyst candidates for renewable energy storage applications via production of solar fuels. To contribute to a molecular-level understanding of the interaction of CO₂ with titanium oxide, we turn to cluster models in order to circumvent the challenges posed by speciation in the condensed phase. In this work, we use infrared photodissociation spectroscopy (950−2400 cm⁻¹) in concert with density functional theory calculations to identify and characterize [TiO_x(CO₂)_y]⁻ (x = 1−3, y = 3−7) clusters. We use these model systems to study the interaction of CO₂ with TiO, TiO₂, and TiO₃, and we find that each species exhibits unique infrared signatures and binding motifs. We will discuss the structures of these cluster ions, and how the coordination of the titanium atom plays a role in reduction of CO₂.

Carbon-carbon bond formation during carbon dioxide fixation would enable bulk synthesis of hydrocarbon chains, generally through formation of an oxalate intermediate. In this talk, we demonstrate the formation of [Ti(CO₂)_y]⁻ (y = 4−6) gas phase clusters with an oxalate ligand bearing significant ( > 1 e⁻) negative charge. Gas phase anionic clusters were generated using laser ablation of a titanium metal target in the presence of a CO₂ expansion, and the infrared photodissociation spectra were measured from 950−2400 cm⁻¹, revealing vibrations characteristic of the oxalate anion. The molecular structure of these clusters was identified by comparing the experimental vibrational spectra with density functional theory calculations.