We present infrared-UV double resonance spectra and quantum chemical calculations of the natural di-peptide H-Trp-Ser-OH. Two conformers are present in the supersonic expansions. They have a compact folded structure with two hydrogen bonds and with the serin residue stacked above the indole ring and an unusual NH(Trp)...O=C interaction in the lowest energy conformer. Conformational assignments are based on comparison with calculated (B97-D/TZV2P) structures and vibrational frequencies. Inclusion of dispersion in the quantum chemical calculations is mandatory for an accurate description of the conformer energies. We provide comparisons between methods often used in biochemistry and the dispersion-corrected double hybrid functional (B2PLYP-D) as a reference. Only concerted experimental and theoretical studies can unravel the conformational complexity already present in a dipeptide.

Vibronic spectra of 9H-adenine, 9-acetyladenine and several alkyladenines have been recorded by resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy of the laser-desorbed molecules, entrained in a molecular beam. While adenine and the alkyladenines exhibit similar electronic spectra, 9-acetyladenine behaves considerably different. Theoretical absorption spectra of 9H-adenine and 9-acetyladenine were calculated using the combined density functional theory/multi-reference configuration interaction approach and using second order coupled cluster theory, in order to explain striking differences in the experimental spectra. The major differences between the 9H-adenine and the 9-acetyladenine absorption spectra can be traced back to the different configurations, which contribute to the excitations, both of the lowest ππ* and the nπ* states. While the excitations in 9H-adenine are localized in the chromophore, they show considerable charge transfer character from the chromophore to the acetyl group in the case of 9-acetyladenine.

Dark state: The photophysics of 9H-2AP (see figure) depends strongly on the solvent and the temperature. In polar, aprotic solvents the fluorescence quantum yield is lower compared to protic ones. Analysis of the diffuse fluorescence spectra point to the existence of a dark singlet n,pi* state which is long-lived (1 microsecond).

BACKGROUND: Photo‐crosslinkable polymers are well known and commercially applied as photoresists. But so far they have not been applied as membrane materials for separation processes. They would offer certain advantages in membrane fabrication over conventional crosslinked polymer materials. Therefore, in this work, a poly[ethene‐stat‐(methacrylic acid)] (PEMAA) which is a potential membrane polymer for different separation problems was functionalised with photo‐crosslinkable maleimide side groups. RESULTS: It has been shown that PEMAA can be used as basic polymer material and a conversion with 3‐hydroxypropylmaleimide is possible in order to obtain a photo‐crosslinkable polymer. Investigation of the crosslinking mechanism was performed using stationary infrared and UV‐visible spectroscopy as well as nanosecond transient spectroscopy absorption measurements of a rotating film. Intense transient absorption of the maleimide‐esterified PEMAA occurs at 250 nm in the film pointing to maleimide anion formation and crosslinking via an ionic dimerisation mechanism. CONCLUSION: It is found that crosslinking reactions can be observed spectroscopically in situ using a maleimide‐functionalised PEMAA. Furthermore, experiments can be performed in the liquid phase (polymer in solution) as well as in the solid phase (polymer film) using a rotating polymer film sample. Maleimide anion formation and crosslinking via an ionic dimerisation mechanism can be investigated by variation of the polymer structure as well as the structure of the maleimide side groups. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

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