1 research outputs found
Probing Molecular Recognition at the Solid–Gas Interface by Sum-Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy
Molecular recognition is among the
most important chemical events
in living systems and has been emulated in supramolecular chemistry,
driven by chemical and biochemical sensing potential. Identifying
host–guest association in situ at the interface, between the
substrate-bound receptors and the analyte-containing media, is essential
to predict complexation performances in term of the receptor conformation,
orientation and organization. Herein, we report the first sum-frequency
vibrational spectroscopy study of molecular recognition at the solid–gas
interface. The binding capability of tetraquinoxaline cavitands toward
volatile aromatic and aliphatic compounds, namely benzonitrile and
acetonitrile, is investigated as test system. We prove the selective
complexation of the receptors, organized in a solid-supported hybrid
bilayer, toward aromatic compounds. Quantitative analysis allows to
correlate the average orientations of the guest molecules and the
host binding pockets, establishing “on-axis” complexation
of benzonitrile within the cavitand cavity. The study is readily applicable
to other receptors, molecular architectures, interfaces and analytes