Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Ultrafast Time-resolved Near-IR Stimulated Raman Measurements of Functional π-conjugate Systems
Published on: February 10, 2020
The air-liquid interface of benzene, toluene, m-xylene, and mesitylene: a sum frequency, Raman, and infrared
Elizabeth L Hommel1, Heather C Allen
1The Ohio State University, Department of Chemistry, 100 West 18th Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA.
Abstract:
The air-liquid interface and the liquid-phase of benzene, toluene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene are studied using broad bandwidth sum frequency generation spectroscopy, Raman and infrared spectroscopy. A vibrationally resonant sum frequency response is observed from these surfaces in spite of the small hyperpolarizabilities, in particular, the zero and near-zero hyperpolarizabilities of benzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene. The orientation of the aromatic rings of these compounds at their air-liquid interfaces is tilted relative to the surface plane. Thus, on average, the plane of the aromatic ring does not lie in the interfacial plane. Comparison of the square root of the sum frequency intensity to that of the Raman multiplied bythe infrared intensity provides additional information about the molecular environment at their respective air-liquid interface.
More Related Videos
08:54Vibrational Spectra of a N719-Chromophore/Titania Interface from Empirical-Potential Molecular-Dynamics Simulation, Solvated by a Room Temperature Ionic Liquid
Published on: January 25, 2020
10:04Flame Experiments at the Advanced Light Source: New Insights into Soot Formation Processes
Published on: May 26, 2014
Related Concept Videos
NMR Spectroscopy of Benzene Derivatives
Mass Spectrometry: Aromatic Compound Fragmentation
¹H NMR Signal Integration: Overview
Structure of Benzene: Molecular Orbital Model
Structure of Benzene: Kekulé Model
He proposed that benzene has a cyclic structure of six carbon atoms attached to one hydrogen atom each, with three alternating pi bonds.
Raman Spectroscopy: Overview
However, a small fraction of the scattered light exhibits a frequency shift due to the exchange of energy between the incident photons and the...