Raman scattering tensors of pseudouridine

Abstract

Polarized Raman scattering measurements were made of a single crystal of a-pseudouridine by the use of a Raman microscope with 488. 0 nm exciting radiation from an argon ion laser. The crystal belongs to space group P2 1 (monoclinic), and Raman scattering intensities, corresponding to the aºaº, bb, cc, aºb and bc components of the crystalline Raman tensor, were determined for each prominent Raman band. Here the aº-axis was deÐned as an axis perpendicular to the c-axis in the ac plane. From the experimental results, the shapes and orientations of the Raman scattering tensors were derived for 12 base vibrations in pseudouridine. By comparing these tensors with those determined previously for uracil and thymine vibrations, the polarizability oscillations caused by normal vibrations localized in the pyrimidine base are discussed.