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We present electronic spectra of single-strand and duplex DNA oligonucleotides covalently attached to fused quartz/aqueous interfaces and demonstrate that a strong nonlinear optical linear dichroism response is obtained when adenine and thymine bases undergo Watson-Crick base pairing to form a double helix. Complementary chi(3) charge screening studies indicate that the signal originates from 5 x 10(11) strands per square centimeter, or 6 attomoles of surface-bound oligonucleotides. The label-free, molecular-specific nature afforded by nonlinear optical studies of DNA at aqueous/solid interfaces allows for the real-time tracking of interfacial DNA hybridization for the first time.

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is used to study oligonucleotides at aqueous/solid interfaces for the first time. Detailed thermodynamic state information for interfacial DNA single strands, namely, the interfacial charge density, the interfacial potential, and the change in the interfacial energy density, is obtained. The phosphate groups on the DNA backbone serve as intrinsic labels that do not require DNA modification other than surface attachment. This approach is broadly applicable for the investigation of DNA during its interaction with biological targets, as well as charged biopolymers in general, and has important implications for predicting and controlling macromolecular interactions, improving biodiagnostics, and understanding life processes.

The fluorobenzene-hydrogen chloride-hydrogen-bonded complex has been studied by high resolution microwave spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Rotational spectra of the C 6 H 5 F-H 35 Cl, C 6 H 5 F-H 37 Cl, and C 6 D 5 F-H 35 Cl isotopomers were assigned using pulsed molecular beam techniques in a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. The spectra are consistent with a structure of the complex in which the HCl is above the fluorobenzene ring near the ring center, similar to the benzene-HCl prototype dimer. An analysis of the inertial data and the chlorine quadrupole coupling tensor results in two mathematically possible locations for the HCl subunit with respect to the fluorobenzene arising from sign ambiguities in interpreting the spectral constants. One structure has the HCl nearly perpendicular to the aromatic ring; the other has the HCl pointing toward the fluorine end of the ring. Spectral intensities for the a and b transitions favor the former configuration. Ab initio calculations ͑MP2/6-311ϩϩG͑2df,2pd͒ϩBSSE corrections͒ indicate that the position of the HCl is driven by electrostatic interactions with the electrons of the benzene ring. HCl is shifted by 0.16 Å from the center of the ring toward the para-C atom, where the density is significantly higher. In the equilibrium form, HCl is tilted by ␦ϭ14°f rom perpendicular to the ring with the hydrogen end toward the para-C atom. The H atom can perform an internal rotation or at least a half-circular libration ͑barriers smaller than 100 cm Ϫ1 ͒. An average ␦ value of 0.7°is estimated in reasonable agreement with the derived vibrationally averaged value of 3.8°. The complex binding energy ⌬E calculated at the CCSD͑T͒/ 6-311ϩϩG͑2df,2pd͒ϩCP͑BSSE͒ level of theory is 2.8 kcal/mol, suggesting a lower ⌬E value for benzene-HCl than previously reported. Fluorobenzene-HCl possesses some charge transfer character; however, just 5.5 melectron are transferred from the benzene ring to HCl. In view of this,-H bonding in fluorobenzene-HCl is predominantly electrostatic rather than covalent in character contrary to claims made in connection with benzene-HCl.