Unravelling the nature of intra-molecular hydrogen bonds in curcumin using in-situ low temperature spectroscopic studies

Curcumin, described as a wonder drug owing to various medicinal, viz. anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory etc., properties, can also be seen as a model molecular system to study strong intra-molecular OH----O hydrogen bonds which govern its physico-chemical properties. The study of these hydrogen bonds is important to understand its binding characteristics. Here, we present systematic in-situ variable temperature studies of curcumin in the range 350-75 K using infrared spectroscopy to analyse the effects of external stresses on molecular structure and hydrogen bonding network. The results have been well supported by Raman spectroscopic studies. Our studies show striking difference in the nature of the two intra-molecular hydrogen bonds, generally considered equivalent, which form at the edges of the molecule. Also, the strongest intra-molecular hydrogen bond involving the enol group, present at the centre of the molecule, depicts a remarkable temperature induced strengthening upon cooling. The studies further indicate that the compound does not show any drastic structural transition in the measured temperature range. However, subtle spectral changes associated with reorientations of the hydrogen bonds are noticed across 210 K. These results will be useful to predict reaction pathways during chemical complexation of curcumin.

Spectroscopic studies of temperature induced phase transitions in metal-organic complex trans-PtCl2(PEt3)2

Tuning of molecular and electronic properties of Pt(II)-organic complexes have a profound effect on their applications in the fields of technology, pharmaceuticals and crystal engineering. Here, we present combined infrared and Raman spectroscopic investigations on trans-PtCl₂(PEt₃)₂ systematically carried out at various temperatures from 300 to 4.2 K in a wide spectral range. The studies suggest drastic orientational changes of different moieties around 180 K and 130 K in the ligand groups attached to the central Pt atom. This is accompanied by a systematic strengthening of C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds in the 180-130 K temperature range. A discontinuous change in intensity, peak variations of modes and emergence of new modes across 180 K and 130 K in the lattice region are suggestive of a possible structural phase transition. It is interesting to note that the spectral signatures of the low temperature phase are different from those reported recently for the high pressure phase in this compound. These studies will be useful in better understanding the physico-chemical properties of metal-organic complexes in order to exploit their applications in various bio-chemical and technological fields.

High pressure: a complementary tool for probing solid-state processes

High pressure offers insight into the mechanisms of a wide range of solid-state phenomena occurring under atmospheric pressure conditions.