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We have investigated the simultaneous absorption of near-infrared photons by pairs of neighboring molecules in liquid methanol. Simultaneous absorption by two OH-stretching modes is found to occur at an energy higher than the sum of the two absorbing modes. This frequency shift arises from interaction between the modes, and its value has been used to determine the average coupling between neighboring methanol molecules. We find a rms coupling strength of 46±1 cm-1, larger than can be explained from a transition-dipole coupling mechanism, suggesting that hydrogen-bond mediated interactions also contribute to the coupling. The most important aspect of simultaneous vibrational absorption is that it allows for a quantitative investigation of hydrogen-bond cooperativity. We derive the extent to which the hydrogen-bond strengths of neighboring molecules are correlated by comparing the line shape of the absorption band caused by simultaneous absorption with that of the fundamental transition. Surprisingly, neighboring hydrogen bonds in methanol are found to be strongly correlated, and from the data we obtain an estimate for the hydrogen-bond correlation coefficient of 0.69±0.12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of confinement on the dynamical properties of liquid water is investigated for water enclosed in cationic reverse micelles. The authors performed mid-infrared ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy on the OH-stretch vibration of isotopically diluted HDO in D2O in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) reverse micelles of various sizes. The authors observe that the surfactant counterions are inhomogeneously distributed throughout the reverse micelle, and that regions of extreme salinity occur near the interfacial Stern layer. The authors find that the water molecules in the core of the micelles show similar orientational dynamics as bulk water, and that water molecules in the counterion-rich interfacial region are much less mobile. An explicit comparison is made with the dynamics of water confined in anionic sodium bis(2-ethythexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. The authors find that interfacial water in cationic CTAB reverse micelles has a higher orientational mobility than water in anionic AOT reverse micelles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the ultrafast dynamics of NH-stretch vibrational excitations in Watson-Crick base pairs consisting of adenine and uracil derivatives. To estimate the influence of the A:U hydrogen bonding on the vibrational dynamics, we have also studied the uracil derivative in monomeric form. The vibrational relaxation of the NH-stretching mode is found to occur much faster in the Watson-Crick base pair than in monomeric uracil. From the delay dependence of the transient vibrational spectra, it can be concluded that both in base-paired and monomeric uracil, the energy relaxation takes place in two steps, the first step being a rapid transfer of energy from the NH-stretching mode to an accepting mode, the second step the relaxation of this accepting mode. The transient spectra show evidence that in the base pair the hydrogen bond between the nucleobases acts as the accepting mode, and that the hydrogen bonding between the bases is responsible for the extremely fast vibrational relaxation in this system. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy is used to compare spectral broadening of the amide I band of the small peptide trialanine with that of N-methylacetamide, a commonly used model system for the peptide bond. In contrast to N-methylacetamide, the amide I band of trialanine is significantly inhomogeneously broadened. Employing classical molecular-dynamics simulations combined with density-functional-theory calculations, the origin of the spectral inhomogeneity is investigated. While both systems exhibit similar hydrogen-bonding dynamics, it is found that the conformational dynamics of trialanine causes a significant additional spectral broadening. In particular, transitions between the poly(Gly)II and the α[SUBR] conformations are identified as the main source of the additional spectral inhomogeneity of trialanine. The experimental and computational results suggest that trialanine adopts essentially two conformations: poly(Gly)II (80%) and α[SUBR] (20%). The potential of the joint experimental and computational approach to explore conformational dynamics of peptides is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear two-dimensional (2D) vibrational spectroscopy has been used to investigate the amide I band of an alanine-based 21-residue α-helical peptide in aqueous solution. Whereas the linear absorption spectrum consists of a single, broad amide I band, the 2D vibrational spectrum clearly reveals that this band is composed of two amide I transitions, which are assigned to the A and E[sub 1] modes. The A–E[sub 1] frequency splitting is found to be approximately 10 cm[sup -1]. We find that the amide I band is inhomogeneously broadened due to conformational disorder of the helix. The 2D line shapes can be well described using distributions of the dihedral angles (&fgr;,ψ) around their average values with a width of 20°, confirming previous molecular-dynamics studies. Time-resolved 2D measurements show that the conformation fluctuates on a time scale of picoseconds. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the relaxation of the O-H stretch vibration in a dilute HDO:D[sub 2]O solution using femtosecond mid-infrared pump-probe spectroscopy. Lifetime of the O-H stretch vibration; Temperature dependence of the vibrational relaxation time.

A simple description of the nonlinear response of self-trapped NH-stretch excitations is obtained by treating the NH-stretch modes as quantized, but the hydrogen bonds as classical modes. This approach provides both an intuitive picture of the self-trapping dynamics and a semiquantitative description of the experimentally observed transient-absorption spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulations and theory suggest that the thermodynamic anomalies of water may be related to a phase transition between two supercooled liquid states, but so far this phase transition has not been observed experimentally because of preemptive ice crystallization. We used calorimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate a water-rich hydrazinium trifluoroacetate solution in which the local hydrogen bond structure surrounding a watermolecule resembles that in neat water at elevated pressure, but which does not crystallize upon cooling. Instead, this solution underwent a sharp, reversible phase transition between two homogeneous liquid states. The hydrogen-bond structures of these two states are similar to those established for high- and low-density amorphous (HDA and LDA) water. Such structural similarity supports theories that predict a similar sharp transition in pure water under pressure if ice crystallization could be suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the vibrational relaxation of the H2O bending mode in an H2O:HDO:D2O isotopic mixture using infrared pump–probe spectroscopy. The transient spectrum and its delay dependence reveal an anharmonic shift of 55±10 cm-1 for the H2O bending mode, and a value of 400±30 fs for its vibrational lifetime.© 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using femtosecond two-color infrared pump-probe spectroscopy, we study the vibrational relaxation of the O-H stretch vibrations of liquid H2O after excitation of the overtone transition. The overtone transition has its maximum at 6900 cm-1 (1.45 μm), which is a relatively high frequency in view of the central frequency of 3400 cm-1 of the fundamental transition. The excitation of the overtone leads to a transient induced absorption of two-exciton states of the O-H stretch vibrations. When the overtone excitation frequency is tuned from 6600 to 7200 cm-1, the vibrational relaxation time constant of the two-exciton states increases from 400 ± 50 fs to 540 ± 40 fs. These values define a limited range of relatively long relaxation time constants compared to the range of relaxation time constants of 250-550 fs that we recently observed for the one-exciton O-H stretch vibrational state of liquid H2O (S. T. van der Post et al., Nature Comm. 2015, 6, 8384). We explain the high central frequency and the limited range of relatively long relaxation time constants of the overtone transition from the destructive quantum interference of the mechanical and electrical anharmonic contributions to the overtone transition probability. As a result of this destructive interference, the overtone transition of liquid H2O is dominated by molecules of which the O-H groups donate relatively weak hydrogen bonds to other H2O molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of confinement on the dynamical properties of liquid water was studied by mid-infrared ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy on HDO:D2O in reverse micelles. By preparing water-containing reverse micelles of different well defined sizes, we varied the degree of geometric confinement in water nanodroplets with radii ranging from 0.2 to 4.5 nm. We find that water molecules located near the interface confining the droplet exhibit slower vibrational energy relaxation and have a different spectral absorption than those located in the droplet core. As a result, we can measure the orientational dynamics of these different types of water with high selectivity. We observe that the water molecules in the core show similar orientational dynamics as bulk water and that the water layer solvating the interface is highly immobile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the subpisecond conformational dynamics of small peptides probed by two-dimensional vibrational spectroscopy. Importance of conformational fluctuations for proteins and peptides; Molecular structure of trialanine; Transient spectra showing the absorption change as a function of probe frequency for a range of mixing times.

Deals with a study which discussed the advantages of using nonlinear mid-infrared saturation spectroscopy in studying the vibrational dynamics of liquid water and ice. Brief history of hydrogen bond; Materials and methodology used in the experimental setup; Findings and its implications.

Focuses on resonant intermolecular transfer of vibrational energy in liquid water. Time-resolved pump-probe laser spectroscopy measurements revealing the occurrence of fast resonant intermolecular transfer of OH-stretch excitations over many water molecules before the excitation energy is dissipated; Role of liquid water in the transport of vibrational energy between OH groups.

Water is known to play an important role in collagen self-assembly, but it is still largely unclear how water--collagen interactions influence the assembly process and determine the fibril network properties. Here, we use the H2O/D2O isotope effect on the hydrogen-bond strength in water to investigate the role of hydration in collagen self-assembly. We dissolve collagen in H2O and D2O and compare the growth kinetics and the structure of the collagen assemblies formed in these water isotopomers. Surprisingly, collagen assembly occurs ten times faster in D2O than in H2O, and collagen in D2O self-assembles into much thinner fibrils, that form a more inhomogeneous and softer network, with a fourfold reduction in elastic modulus when compared to H2O. Combining spectroscopic measurements with atomistic simulations, we show that collagen in D2O is less hydrated than in H2O. This partial dehydration lowers the enthalpic penalty for water removal and reorganization at the collagen--water interface, increasing the self-assembly rate and the number of nucleation centers, leading to thinner fibrils and a softer network. Coarse-grained simulations show that the acceleration in the initial nucleation rate can be reproduced by the enhancement of electrostatic interactions. These results show that water acts as a mediator between collagen monomers, by modulating their interactions so as to optimize the assembly process and, thus, the final network properties. We believe that isotopically modulating the hydration of proteins can be a valuable method to investigate the role of water in protein structural dynamics and protein self-assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viscosity is a key property of liquids, but it is difficult to measure in short-lived, metastable samples due to the long measuring times required by conventional rheology. Here, we show how this problem can be solved by using fluorescent molecular rotors. The excited-state fluorescence decay rate of these molecules is sensitive to the viscosity of their local environment, and by combining pulsed laser excitation with time-resolved fluorescence detection, we can measure viscosities with a time resolution of a few ns. We demonstrate this by measuring in real time the viscosity change in glycerol induced by a nanosecond temperature jump. This new approach makes it possible to measure the viscosity of extremely short-lived states of matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrafast vibrational dynamics of HDO:D2O ice at 180 K in anionic reverse micelles is studied by midinfrared femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. Solutions containing reverse micelles are cooled to low temperatures by a fast-freezing procedure. The heating dynamics of the micellar solutions is studied to characterize the micellar structure. Small reverse micelles with a water content up to approximately 150 water molecules contain an amorphous form of ice that shows remarkably different vibrational dynamics compared to bulk hexagonal ice. The micellar amorphous ice has a much longer vibrational lifetime than bulk hexagonal ice and micellar liquid water. The vibrational lifetime is observed to increase linearly from 0.7 to 4 ps with the resonance frequency ranging from 3100 to 3500 cm-1. From the pump dependence of the vibrational relaxation the homogeneous linewidth of the amorphous ice is determined (55±5 cm-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orientational-correlation time of water molecules in ionic solutions has been measured with femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy. It is found that the addition of ions has no influence on the rotational dynamics of water molecules outside the first solvation shells of the ions. This shows that the presence of ions does not lead to an enhancement or a breakdown of the hydrogen-bond network in liquid water. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by ideas from NMR, we have developed Infrared Diffusion‐Ordered Spectroscopy (IR‐DOSY), which simultaneously characterizes molecular structure and size. We rely on the fact that the diffusion coefficient of a molecule is determined by its size through the Stokes–Einstein relation, and achieve sensitivity to the diffusion coefficient by creating a concentration gradient and tracking its equilibration in an IR‐frequency resolved manner. Analogous to NMR‐DOSY, a two‐dimensional IR‐DOSY spectrum has IR frequency along one axis and diffusion coefficient (or equivalently, size) along the other, so the chemical structure and the size of a compound are characterized simultaneously. In an IR‐DOSY spectrum of a mixture, molecules with different sizes are nicely separated into distinct sets of IR peaks. Extending this idea to higher dimensions, we also perform 3D‐IR‐DOSY, in which we combine the conformation sensitivity of femtosecond multi‐dimensional IR spectroscopy with size sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by ideas from NMR, we have developed Infrared Diffusion‐Ordered Spectroscopy (IR‐DOSY), which simultaneously characterizes molecular structure and size. We rely on the fact that the diffusion coefficient of a molecule is determined by its size through the Stokes–Einstein relation, and achieve sensitivity to the diffusion coefficient by creating a concentration gradient and tracking its equilibration in an IR‐frequency resolved manner. Analogous to NMR‐DOSY, a two‐dimensional IR‐DOSY spectrum has IR frequency along one axis and diffusion coefficient (or equivalently, size) along the other, so the chemical structure and the size of a compound are characterized simultaneously. In an IR‐DOSY spectrum of a mixture, molecules with different sizes are nicely separated into distinct sets of IR peaks. Extending this idea to higher dimensions, we also perform 3D‐IR‐DOSY, in which we combine the conformation sensitivity of femtosecond multi‐dimensional IR spectroscopy with size sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its wide use as a denaturant, the mechanism by which guanidinium (Gdm+) induces protein unfolding remains largely unclear. Herein, we show evidence that Gdm+ can induce denaturation by disrupting salt bridges that stabilize the folded conformation. We study the Gdm+-induced denaturation of a series of peptides containing Arg/Glu and Lys/Glu salt bridges that either stabilize or destabilize the folded conformation. The peptides containing stabilizing salt bridges are found to be denatured much more efficiently by Gdm+ than the peptides containing destabilizing salt bridges. Complementary 2D-infrared measurements suggest a denaturation mechanism in which Gdm+ binds to side-chain carboxylate groups involved in salt bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its wide use as a denaturant, the mechanism by which guanidinium (Gdm+) induces protein unfolding remains largely unclear. Herein, we show evidence that Gdm+ can induce denaturation by disrupting salt bridges that stabilize the folded conformation. We study the Gdm+-induced denaturation of a series of peptides containing Arg/Glu and Lys/Glu salt bridges that either stabilize or destabilize the folded conformation. The peptides containing stabilizing salt bridges are found to be denatured muchmore efficiently by Gdm+ than the peptides containing destabilizing salt bridges. Complementary 2D-infrared measurements suggest a denaturation mechanism in which Gdm+ binds to side-chain carboxylate groups involved in salt bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy to disentangle the broad infrared band in the amide II vibrational regions of Bombyx mori native silk films, identifying the single amide II modes and correlating them to specific secondary structure. Amide I and amide II modes have a strong vibrational coupling, which manifests as cross-peaks in 2D infrared spectra with frequencies determined by both the amide I and amide II frequencies of the same secondary structure. By cross referencing with well-known amide I assignments, we determined that the amide II (N-H) absorbs at around 1552 and at 1530 cm–1 for helical and β-sheet structures, respectively. We also observed a peak at 1517 cm−1 that could not be easily assigned to an amide II mode, and instead we tentatively assigned it to a Tyrosine sidechain. These results stand in contrast with previous findings from linear infrared spectroscopy, highlighting the ability of multidimensional spectroscopy for untangling convoluted spectra, and suggesting the need for caution when assigning silk amide II spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus epidermidis causes some of the most hard-to-treat clinical infections by forming biofilms: Multicellular communities of bacteria encased in a protective matrix, supporting immune evasion and tolerance against antibiotics. Biofilms occur most commonly on medical implants, and a key event in implant colonization is the robust adherence to the surface, facilitated by interactions between bacterial surface proteins and host matrix components. S. epidermidis is equipped with a giant adhesive protein, extracellular matrix-binding protein (Embp), which facilitates bacterial interactions with surface-deposited, but not soluble fibronectin. The structural basis behind this selective binding process has remained obscure. Using a suite of single-cell and single-molecule analysis techniques, we show that S. epidermidis is capable of such distinction because Embp binds specifically to fibrillated fibronectin on surfaces, while ignoring globular fibronectin in solution. S. epidermidis adherence is critically dependent on multivalent interactions involving 50 fibronectin-binding repeats of Embp. This unusual, Velcro-like interaction proved critical for colonization of surfaces under high flow, making this newly identified attachment mechanism particularly relevant for colonization of intravascular devices, such as prosthetic heart valves or vascular grafts. Other biofilm-forming pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, express homologs of Embp and likely deploy the same mechanism for surface colonization. Our results may open for a novel direction in efforts to combat devastating, biofilm-associated infections, as the development of implant materials that steer the conformation of adsorbed proteins is a much more manageable task than avoiding protein adsorption altogether. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which explores the chromatographic separation of active polymer–like worm mixtures by contour length and activity. It mentions the results demonstrate a unique way to sort mixtures of active polymers based on their activity and provide a versatile and convenient experimental system to investigate the hydrodynamics of active polymers.

We investigate proton-charge mobility in nanoscopic water droplets with tuneable size. We find that the diffusion of confined proton charges causes a dielectric relaxation process with a maximumloss frequency determined by the diffusion constant. In volumes less than ~5 nm in diameter, proton-charge diffusion slows down significantly with decreasing size: for diameters <1 nm, the diffusion constant is about 100 times smaller than in bulk water. The low mobility probably results from the more rigid hydrogen-bond network of nanoconfined water, since proton-charge mobility in water relies on collective hydrogen-bond rearrangements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vibrational relaxation of the bending mode of HDO in liquid D2O has been studied using time-resolved mid-infrared pump−probe spectroscopy. At short delays, the transient spectrum clearly shows the v = 1 → 2 induced absorption and v = 1 → 0 bleaching and stimulated emission, whereas at long delays, the transient spectrum is dominated by the spectral changes caused by the temperature increase in the sample after vibrational relaxation. From the decay of the v = 1 → 2 induced absorption, we obtain an estimate of 390 ± 50 fs for the vibrational lifetime, in surprisingly good agreement with recent theoretical predictions. In the v = 0 → 1 frequency region, the decay of the absorption change involves a second, slower component, which suggests that after vibrational relaxation the system is not yet in thermal equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral induction is a simple and inexpensive approach to synthesise chiral metal–organic frameworks, even when using achiral building-blocks. The challenge lies in selecting the proper chiral inductor. This can only be achieved upon understanding the mechanism behind the chirality transfer from the chiral guest to the achiral MOF. In this work, the role of two types of chiral additives and different solvents was investigated in the crystallization of isoreticular MOF-74. We show that pyrrolidone-based solvents can interact with the framework walls and influence the thermal stability of the MOF. The role of the different chiral additives is related to the strength of their interaction with the MOF. Unlike cinchona alkaloids that have weak interactions with the framework, L - or D -trans-4-hydroxyproline (L - or D -Hyp) can strongly bind to the Zn2+ metal centres and cause the twisting of the organic linker. Moreover, L - and D -Hyp additives can affect the IRMOF-74 nucleation process depending on their concentration and handedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GALA is a 30 amino acid synthetic peptide consisting of a Glu-Ala-Leu-Ala repeat and is known to undergo a reversible structural transition from a disordered to an a-helical structure when changing the pH from basic to acidic values. In its helical state GALA can insert into and disintegrate lipid membranes. This effect has generated much interest in GALA as a candidate for pH triggered, targeted drug delivery. GALA also serves as a well-defined model system to understand cell penetration mechanisms and protein folding triggered by external stimuli. Structural transitions of GALA in solution have been studied extensively. However, cell penetration is an interfacial effect and potential biomedical applications of GALA would involve a variety of surfaces, e.g., nanoparticles, lipid membranes, tubing, and liquid-gas interfaces. Despite the apparent importance of interfaces in the functioning of GALA, the effect of surfaces on the reversible folding of GALA has not yet been studied. Here, we use sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG) to probe the structural response of GALA at the air-water interface and IR spectroscopy to follow GALA folding in bulk solution. We combine the SFG data with molecular dynamics simulations to obtain a molecularlevel picture of the interaction of GALA with the air-water interface. Surprisingly, while the fully reversible structural transition was observed in solution, at the water-air interface, a large fraction of the GALA population remained helical at high pH. This "stickiness" of the air-water interface can be explained by the stabilizing interactions of hydrophobic leucine and alanine side chains with the water surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we show that by adjusting the concentration of tetrabutyl ammonium and phosphonium salts in water (≈1.5–2.0 m), hydrophobic solvation triggers the formation of a unique, highly incompressible supramolecular liquid, with a dynamic structure similar to clathrates, involving essentially all H2O molecules of the solvent. Despite the increasing local order, the thermal diffusivity, and compressibility of these supramolecular liquids is strongly decreased with respect to bulk water due to slower relaxation dynamics. The results presented in this paper open an avenue to design a new family of supramolecular fluids, stable under atmospheric conditions, which can find important technological applications in energy storage and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we show that by adjusting the concentration of tetrabutyl ammonium and phosphonium salts in water (≈1.5–2.0 m), hydrophobic solvation triggers the formation of a unique, highly incompressible supramolecular liquid, with a dynamic structure similar to clathrates, involving essentially all H2O molecules of the solvent. Despite the increasing local order, the thermal diffusivity, and compressibility of these supramolecular liquids is strongly decreased with respect to bulk water due to slower relaxation dynamics. The results presented in this paper open an avenue to design a new family of supramolecular fluids, stable under atmospheric conditions, which can find important technological applications in energy storage and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the reorientation dynamics of liquid water confined in nanometer-sized reverse micelles of spherical and cylindrical shape. The size and shape of the micelles are characterized in detail using small-angle x-ray scattering, and the reorientation dynamics of the water within the micelles is investigated using GHz dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and polarization-resolved infrared pump-probe spectroscopy on the OD-stretch mode of dilute HDO:H2O mixtures. We find that the GHz dielectric response of both the spherical and cylindrical reverse micelles can be well described as a sum of contributions from the surfactant, the water at the inner surface of the reversed micelles, and the water in the core of the micelles. The Debye relaxation time of the core water increases from the bulk value τH2O of 8.2 ± 0.1 ps for the largest reverse micelles with a radius of 3.2 nm to 16.0 ± 0.4 ps for the smallest micelles with a radius of 0.7 nm. For the nano-spheres the dielectric response of the water is approximately ~6 times smaller than expected from the water volume fraction and the bulk dielectric relaxation of water. We find that the dielectric response of nano-spheres is more attenuated than that of nano-tubes of identical composition (water-surfactant ratio), whereas the reorientation dynamics of the water hydroxyl groups is identical for the two geometries. We attribute the attenuation of the dielectric response compared to bulk water to a local anti-parallel ordering of the molecular dipole moments. The difference in attenuation between nano-spheres and nano-cylinders indicates that the anti-parallel ordering of the water dipoles is more pronounced upon spherical than upon cylindrical nanoconfinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of ions on bulk properties of liquid water, such as viscosity, have suggested that ions alter water's hydrogen-bonding network. We measured the orientational correlation time of water molecules in Mg(ClO[sub4])[sub2], NaClO[sub4], and Na[sub2]SO[sub4] solutions by means of femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. The addition of ions had no influence on the rotational dynamics of water molecules outside the first solvation shells of the ions. This result shows that the presence of ions does not lead to an enhancement or a breakdown of the hydrogen-bond network in liquid water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of chiral metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is highly relevant for asymmetric heterogenous catalysis, yet very challenging. Chiral MOFs with MOF‐74 topology were synthesised by using post‐synthetic modification with proline. Vibrational circular dichroism studies demonstrate that proline is the source of chirality. The solvents used in the synthesis play a key role in tuning the loading of proline and its interaction with the MOF‐74 framework. In N,N′‐dimethylformamide, proline coordinates monodentate to the Zn2+ ions within the MOF‐74 framework, whereas it is only weakly bound to the framework when using methanol as solvent. Introducing chirality within the MOF‐74 framework also leads to the formation of defects, with both the organic linker and metal ions missing from the framework. The formation of defects combined with the coordination of DMF and proline within the framework leads to a pore blocking effect. This is confirmed by adsorption studies and testing of the chiral MOFs in the asymmetric aldol reaction between acetone and para‐nitrobenzaldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the dynamics of the hydrogen bonds that connect the components of a [2]rotaxane in solution. In this rotaxane, the amide groups in the benzylic-amide macrocycle and the succinamide thread are connected by four equivalent N-H···O=C hydrogen bonds. The fluctuations of these hydrogen bonds are mirrored by the frequency fluctuations of the NH-stretch modes, which are probed by means of three-pulse photon-echo peak shift spectroscopy. The hydrogen-bond fluctuations occur on three different time scales, with time constants of 0.1, 0.6, and >=200 ps. Comparing these three time scales to the ones found in liquid formamide, which contains the same hydrogen-bonded amide motif but without mechanical constraints, we find that the faster two components, which are associated with small-amplitude fluctuations in the strength of the N-H···O=C hydrogen bonds, are very similar in the liquid and the rotaxane. However, the third component, which is associated with the breaking and subsequent reformation of hydrogen bonds, is found to be much slower in the rotaxane than in the liquid. It can be concluded that the mechanical bonding in a rotaxane does not influence the amplitude and time scale of the small-amplitude fluctuations of the hydrogen bonds, but strongly slows down the complete dissociation of these hydrogen bonds. This is probably because in a rotaxane breaking of the macrocycle-axle contacts is severely hindered by the mechanical constraints. The hydrogen-bond dynamics in rotaxane-based molecular machines can therefore be regarded as liquidlike on a time scale 1 ps and less, but structurally frozen on longer (up to at least 200 ps) time scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-trapping of NH-stretch vibrational excitations in synthetic β-sheet helices is observed using femtosecond infrared pump-probe spectroscopy. In a dialanine-based β-sheet helix, the transient-absorption change upon exciting the NH-stretch mode exhibits a negative absorption change at the fundamental frequency and two positive peaks at lower frequencies. These two induced-absorption peaks are characteristic for a state in which the vibrational excitation is self-trapped on essentially a single NH-group in the hydrogen-bonded NH...OC chain, forming a small (Holstein) vibrational polaron. By engineering the structure of the polymer we can disrupt the hydrogen-bonded NH...OC chain, allowing us to eliminate the self-trapping, as is confirmed from the NH-stretch pump-probe response. We also investigate a trialanine-based β-sheet helix, where each side chain participates in two NH...OC chains with different hydrogen-bond lengths. The chain with short hydrogen bonds shows the same self-trapping behavior as the dialanine-based β-sheet helix, whereas in the chain with long hydrogen bonds the self-trapping is too weak to be observable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial photosynthesis—the direct photochemical generation of hydrogen from water—is a promising but scientifically challenging future technology. Because nature employs membranes for photodriven reactions, the aim of this work is to elucidate the effect of membranes on artificial photocatalysis. To do so, a combination of electrochemistry, photocatalysis, and time‐resolved spectroscopy on vesicle‐embedded [FeFe]hydrogenase mimics, driven by a ruthenium tris‐2,2′‐bipyridine photosensitizer, is reported. The membrane effects encountered can be summarized as follows: the presence of vesicles steers the reactivity of the [FeFe]‐benzodithiolate catalyst towards disproportionation, instead of protonation, due to membrane characteristics, such as providing a constant local effective pH, and concentrating and organizing species inside the membrane. The maximum turnover number is limited by photodegradation of the resting state in the catalytic cycle. Understanding these fundamental productive and destructive pathways in complex photochemical systems allows progress towards the development of efficient artificial leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) studies are reported on a chiral compound in which a fullerene C60 moiety is used as an electron acceptor and local VCD amplifier for an alanine‐based peptide chain. Four redox states are investigated in this study, of which three are reduced species that possess low‐lying electronic states as confirmed by UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry. VCD measurements in combination with (TD)DFT calculations are used to investigate (i) how the low‐lying electronic states of the reduced species modulate the amplification of VCD signals, (ii) how this amplification depends on the distance between oscillator and amplifier, and (iii) how the spatial extent of the amplifier influences amplification. These results pave the way for further development of tailored molecular VCD amplifiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of a biomimetic and fully base metal photocatalytic system for photocatalytic proton reduction in a homogeneous medium is described. A synthetic pyridylphosphole‐appended [FeFe] hydrogenase mimic was encapsulated inside a supramolecular zinc porphyrin‐based metal–organic cage structure Fe4(Zn‐L)6. The binding is driven by the selective pyridine–zinc porphyrin interaction and results in the catalyst being bound strongly inside the hydrophobic cavity of the cage. Excitation of the capsule‐forming porphyrin ligands with visible light while probing the IR spectrum confirmed that electron transfer takes place from the excited porphyrin cage to the catalyst residing inside the capsule. Light‐driven proton reduction was achieved by irradiation of an acidic solution of the caged catalyst with visible light. Mimic in a cage: Synthetic pyridylphosphole‐appended [FeFe] hydrogenase mimic 1 was encapsulated in supramolecular zinc porphyrin‐based metal–organic cage Fe4(Zn‐L)6. Selective pyridine–zinc porphyrin interactions bind the catalyst strongly inside the hydrophobic cavity of the cage. Excitation of the porphyrin ligands with visible light results in electron transfer from the excited porphyrin cage to the encaged catalyst. Light‐driven proton reduction was achieved by visible‐light irradiation of an acidic solution of the caged catalyst (see figure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous N-methylacetamide solutions were investigated by polarization-resolved pump-probe and 2D infrared spectroscopy (2D IR), using the amide I mode as a reporter. The 2D IR results are compared with molecular dynamics simulations and spectral calculations to gain insight into the molecular structures in the mixture. N-Methylacetamide and water molecules tend to form clusters with "frozen" amide I dynamics. This is driven by a hydrophobic collapse as the methyl groups of the N-methylacetamide molecules cluster in the presence of water. Since the studied system can be considered as a simplified model for the backbone of proteins, the present study forms a convenient basis for understanding the structural and vibrational dynamics in proteins. It is particularly interesting to find out that a hydrophobic collapse as the one driving protein folding is observed in such a simple system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Well‐defined structural changes of molecular units that can be triggered by light are crucial for the development of photoactive functional materials. Herein, we report on a novel switch that has azodicarboxamide as its photo‐triggerable element. Time‐resolved UV‐pump/IR probe spectroscopy in combination with quantum‐chemical calculations shows that the azodicarboxamide functionality, in contrast to other azo‐based chromophores, does not undergo trans–cis photoisomerization. Instead, a photoinduced pedalo‐type motion occurs, which because of its volume‐conserving properties enables the design of functional molecular systems with controllable motion in a confined space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Well‐defined structural changes of molecular units that can be triggered by light are crucial for the development of photoactive functional materials. Herein, we report on a novel switch that has azodicarboxamide as its photo‐triggerable element. Time‐resolved UV‐pump/IR probe spectroscopy in combination with quantum‐chemical calculations shows that the azodicarboxamide functionality, in contrast to other azo‐based chromophores, does not undergo trans–cis photoisomerization. Instead, a photoinduced pedalo‐type motion occurs, which because of its volume‐conserving properties enables the design of functional molecular systems with controllable motion in a confined space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-terminal truncations of monomeric wild-type alpha-synuclein (henceforth WT-αS) have been shown to enhance the formation of amyloid aggregates both in vivo and in vitro and have been associated with accelerated progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). The correlation with PD may not solely be a result of faster aggregation, but also of which fibril polymorphs are preferentially formed when the C-terminal residues are deleted. Considering that different polymorphs are known to result in distinct pathologies, it is important to understand how these truncations affect the organization of αS into fibrils. Here we present high-resolution microscopy and advanced vibrational spectroscopy studies that indicate that the C-terminal truncation variant of αS, lacking residues 109-140 (henceforth referred to as 1-108-αS), forms amyloid fibrils with a distinct structure and morphology. The 1-108-αS fibrils have a unique negative circular dichroism band at ~230 nm, a feature that differs from the canonical ~218 nm band usually observed for amyloid fibrils. We show evidence that 1-108-αS fibrils consist of strongly twisted β-sheets with an increased inter-β-sheet distance and a higher solvent exposure than WT-αS fibrils, which is also indicated by the pronounced differences in the 1D-IR (FTIR), 2D-IR, and vibrational circular dichroism spectra. As a result of their distinct β-sheet structure, 1-108-αS fibrils resist incorporation of WT-αS monomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small proteins provide good model systems for studying the fundamental forces that control protein folding. Here, we investigate the folding dynamics of the 28-residue zinc-finger mutant FSD-1, which is designed to form a metal-independent folded ββα-motif, and which provides a testing ground for proteins containing a mixed α/β fold. Although the folding of FSD-1 has been actively studied, the folding mechanism remains largely unclear. In particular, it is unclear in what stage of folding the α-helix is formed. To address this issue we investigate the folding mechanism of FSD-1 using a combination of temperature-dependent UV circular dichroism (UV-CD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy, and temperature-jump (T-jump) transient-IR spectroscopy. Our UV-CD and FTIR data show different thermal melting transitions, indicating multistate folding behavior. Temperature-dependent 2D-IR spectra indicate that the α-helix is the most stable structural element of FSD-1. To investigate the folding/unfolding re-equilibration dynamics of FSD-1, the conformational changes induced by a nanosecond T-jump are probed with transient-IR and transient dispersed-pump-probe (DPP) IR spectroscopy. We observe biexponential T-jump relaxation kinetics (with time constants of 80 ± 13 ns and 1300 ± 100 ns at 322 K), confirming that the folding involves an intermediate state. The IR and dispersed-pump-probe IR spectra associated with the two kinetic components suggest that the folding of FSD-1 involves early formation of the α-helix, followed by the formation of the β-hairpin and hydrophobic contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling the excited-state properties of light driven molecular machines is crucial to achieving high efficiency and directed functionality. A key challenge in achieving control lies in unravelling the complex photodynamics and especially in identifying the role played by dark states. Here we use the structure sensitivity and high time resolution of UV-pump/IR-probe spectroscopy to build a detailed and comprehensive model of the structural evolution of light driven molecular rotors. The photodynamics of these chiral overcrowded alkene derivatives are determined by two close-lying excited electronic states. The potential energy landscape of these "bright" and "dark" states gives rise to a broad excited-state electronic absorption band over the entire mid-IR range that is probed for the first time and modeled by quantum mechanical calculations. The transient IR vibrational fingerprints observed in our studies allow for an unambiguous identification of the identity of the "dark" electronic excited state from which the photon's energy is converted into motion, and thereby pave the way for tuning the quantum yield of future molecular rotors based on this structural motif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human α-synuclein (αS) has been shown to be N terminally acetylated in its physiological state. This modification is proposed to modulate the function and aggregation ofαS into amyloid fibrils. Using bacterially expressed acetylated-αS (NTAc- αS) and endogenous αS (Endo-αS) from human erythrocytes, we show that N-terminal acetylation has little impact on αS binding to anionic membranes and thus likely not relevant for regulating membrane affinity. N-terminal acetylation does have an effect onαS aggregation, resulting in a narrower distribution of the aggregation lag times and rates. 2D-IR spectra show that acetylation changes the secondary structure ofαS in fibrils. This difference may arise from the slightly higher helical propensity of acetylated-αS in solution leading to a more homogenous fibril population with different fibril structure than non-acetylated αS. We speculate that N-terminal acetylation imposes conformational restraints on N-terminal residues in αS, thus predisposing αS toward specific interactions with other binding partners or alternatively decrease nonspecific interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photophysics and photochemistry of [(CO)5MC(OMe)Me] (M = Cr or W) were investigated using picosecond time-resolved infrared spectroscopy (M = Cr or W), low-temperature matrix isolation techniques (M = Cr), and time-dependent density functional calculations (M = Cr or W). These studies provide unambiguous evidence for the photochemical formation of a long-lived, 18-electron metallaketene species capable of acting as a synthetically useful intermediate. For the Cr complex, an intermediate metallacyclopropanone singlet excited state was detected on the reaction path to the metallaketene species. This metallacyclopropanone excited state species has a lifetime of less than 100 ps and a characteristic bridging carbonyl band at 1770 cm−1. The tungsten ketene species was also detected but in contrast to the chromium system, this forms directly from a low-lying triplet excited state. The electrochemical release of CO showed a greater efficiency for the chromium complex when compared to the tungsten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully characterize the CoIII-'nitrene radical' species that are proposed as intermediates in nitrene transfer reactions mediated by cobalt(II) porphyrins, different combinations of cobalt(II) complexes of porphyrins and nitrene transfer reagents were combined, and the generated species were studied using EPR, UV-vis, IR, VCD, UHR-ESI-MS, and XANES/XAFS measurements. Reactions of cobalt(II) porphyrins 1P1 (P1 = meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP)) and 1P2 (P2 = 3,5-DitBu-ChenPhyrin) with organic azides 2Ns (NsN3), 2Ts (TsN3), and 2Troc (TrocN3) led to the formation of mono-nitrene species 3P1Ns, 3P2Ts, and 3P2Troc, respectively, which are best described as [CoIII(por)(NR"·-)] nitrene radicals (imidyl radicals) resulting from single electron transfer from the cobalt(II) porphyrin to the 'nitrene' moiety (Ns: R" = -SO2-p-C6H5NO2; Ts: R" = -SO2C6H6; Troc: R" = -C(O)OCH2CCl3). Remarkably, the reaction of 1P1 with N-nosyl iminoiodane (PhI=NNs) 4Ns led to the formation of a bis-nitrene species 5P1Ns. This species is best described as a triple-radical complex [(por·-)CoIII(NR"·-)2] containing three ligand-centered unpaired electrons: two nitrene radicals (NR"·-) and one oxidized porphyrin radical (por·-). Thus, the formation of the second nitrene radical involves another intramolecular one-electron transfer to the "nitrene" moiety, but now from the porphyrin ring instead of the metal center. Interestingly, this bis-nitrene species is observed only on reacting 4Ns with 1P1. Reaction of the more bulky 1P2 with 4Ns results again in formation of mainly mono-nitrene species 3P2Ns according to EPR and ESI-MS spectroscopic studies. The mono- and bis-nitrene species were initially expected to be five- and six-coordinate species, respectively, but XANES data revealed that both mono- and bis-nitrene species are six-coordinate Oh species. The nature of the sixth ligand bound to cobalt(III) in the mono-nitrene case remains elusive, but some plausible candidates are NH3, NH2-, NsNH-, and OH-; NsNH- being the most plausible. Conversion of mono-nitrene species 3P1Ns into bis-nitrene species 5P1Ns upon reaction with 4Ns was demonstrated. Solutions containing 3P1Ns and 5P1Ns proved to be still active in catalytic aziridination of styrene, consistent with their proposed key involvement in nitrene transfer reactions mediated by cobalt(II) porphyrins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method to detect the vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) of a localized part of a chiral molecular system is reported. A local VCD amplifier was implemented, and the distance dependence of the amplification was investigated in a series of peptides. The results indicate a characteristic distance of 2.0±0.3 bonds, which suggests that the amplification is a localized phenomenon. The amplifier can be covalently coupled to a specific part of a molecule, and can be switched ON and OFF electrochemically. By subtracting the VCD spectra obtained when the amplifier is in the ON and OFF states, the VCD of the local environment of the amplifier can be separated from the total VCD spectrum. Switchable local VCD amplification thus makes it possible to 'zoom in' on a specific part of a chiral molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photochemistry and photophysics of three model "half-sandwich" complexes (η6-benzophenone)-Cr(CO)3, (η6-styrene)Cr(CO)3, and (η6-allylbenzene)Cr(CO)3 were investigated using pico-second timeresolved infrared spectroscopy and time-dependent density functional theory methods. The (η6-benzophenone) Cr(CO)3 complex was studied using two excitation wavelengths (470 and 320 nm) while the remaining complexes were irradiated using 400 nm light. Two independent excited states were detected spectroscopically for each complex, one an unreactive excited state of metal-to-arene charge-transfer character and the other with metal-to-carbonyl charge transfer character. This second excited state leads to an arrested release of CO on the pico-second time-scale. Low-energy excitation (470 nm) of (η6-benzophenone)Cr(CO)3 populated only the unreactive excited state which simply relaxes to the parent complex. Higher energy irradiation (320 nm) induced CO-loss. Irradiation of (η6-styrene)Cr(CO)3, or (η6-allylbenzene)Cr(CO)3 at 400 nm provided evidence for the simultaneous population of both the reactive and unreactive excited states. The efficiency at which the unreactive excited state is populated depends on the degree of conjugation of the substituent with the arene p-system and this affects the efficiency of the CO-loss process. The quantum yield of CO-loss is 0.50 for (η6-allylbenzene)Cr(CO)3 and 0.43 for (η6-styrene)Cr(CO)3. These studies provide evidence for the existence of two photophysical routes to CO loss, a minor ultrafast route and an arrested mechanism involving the intermediate population of a reactive excited state. This reactive excited state either relaxes to reform the parent species or eject CO. Thus the quantum yield of the CO-loss is strongly dependent on the excitation wavelength. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations confirm that the state responsible for ultrafast CO-loss has significant metal-centred character while the reactive state responsible for the arrested CO-loss has significant metal-to-carbonyl charge-transfer character. The CO-loss product (η6-allylbenzene)-Cr(CO)2 formed following irradiation of (η6-allylbenzene)Cr(CO)3 reacts further with the pendent alkenyl group to form the chelate product (η6,η²-allylbenzene)Cr(CO)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]