[Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of L-ascorbic acid]

The present paper reports the theoretical and experimental vibrational frequencies of L-ascorbic acid in the frequency range from 0.2 to 2.4 THz respectively. The vibrational frequencies of L-ascorbic acid in the THz range were simulated by Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) algorithm of density functional theory. Simultaneously, the absorption and refractive index spectra of L-ascorbic acid were obtained using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Based on the results from density functional calculations, the observed vibrational peaks were assigned with the aid of Gaussian View 3.07. Finally, the tera-hertz absorption spectra of tablets of vitamin C were compared with those of L-ascorbic acid. It was found that L-ascorbic acid had some distinct fingerprint spectra in the THz region and the theoretical results were in good agreement with the experimental results. The observed vibrational peaks were induced jointly by the intramolecular and intermolecular vibrations. The absorption peaks of L-ascorbic acid could be observed in the absorption spectra of the tablets of vitamin C. Our research is helpful to understanding the role of L-ascorbic acid in biological reactions. Still, the research results show the potential of the application of THz-TDS in the quantification of L-ascorbic acid.