Far-infrared spectroscopy of hydrogen bonding in nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides

Abstract

The far-infrared dielectric properties of organic acids and bases in the condensed phase are dominated by hydrogen bonding between the individual molecules. We have investigated the dielectric properties of nucleobases, nucleosides, and nucleotides. We find that at cold temperatures distinct vibrational modes are present in the frequency range 0.1-4 THz. These modes originate from ordered hydrogen bonds between the molecules.