Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview01:24

IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview

4.3K
When Infrared (IR) radiation passes through a covalently bonded molecule, the bonds transition from lower to higher vibrational levels. The fundamental vibrational motions that result in infrared absorption can be classified as stretching or bending vibrations.
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...
4.3K
Properties of Enantiomers and Optical Activity02:24

Properties of Enantiomers and Optical Activity

20.8K
It is essential to understand the difference between chiral and achiral interactions and the implications thereof in optical activity and their applications. Just as our feet, which are chiral, interact uniquely with chiral objects, such as a pair of shoes, but identically with achiral socks, enantiomers of a molecule exhibit different properties only when they interact with other chiral media. An example of a significant implication from this facet is the phenomenon known as optical activity,...
20.8K
Applications of IR Spectroscopy: Overview01:11

Applications of IR Spectroscopy: Overview

1.9K
The non-destructive nature and ability to provide valuable chemical information make IR spectroscopy a versatile technique with broad applications in various scientific and industrial fields. IR spectroscopy is commonly used to identify and characterize organic and inorganic compounds. It provides information about the functional groups present in a molecule and the bonding between atoms. This helps in the structural elucidation of compounds during organic synthesis, pharmaceutical research,...
1.9K
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions01:16

UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions

2.6K
In Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, the absorption of electromagnetic radiation is used to probe the electronic structure of molecules. This technique provides insights into molecular electronic transitions, particularly the movement of electrons between different molecular orbitals. Radiation is absorbed if the energy of the electromagnetic radiation passing through the molecule is precisely equal to the energy difference between the excited and ground states. During this...
2.6K
Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission01:14

Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission

4.2K
Molecules possess discrete energy levels called quantum states. Unlike atoms, which have simpler energy levels, molecules possess additional rotational and vibrational energy levels.  Each energy level is separated by an energy gap, with the gaps between adjacent electronic, vibrational, and rotational levels varying significantly. The three types of energy levels in a diatomic molecule are shown in Figure 1.
4.2K
Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview01:02

Ultraviolet and Visible (UV–Vis) Spectroscopy: Overview

4.3K
Ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible or UV–Vis) spectroscopy is an analytical technique that investigates the interaction between matter and UV–Vis light within the electromagnetic spectrum. This method is widely used for its versatility, simplicity, and relatively quick data acquisition, making it valuable for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. When UV–Vis radiation passes through a material,  molecules absorb light depending on the energy required for...
4.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Conformational Variability Prediction of H5N1 Avian Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinins with Amino Acid Mutations Using SSSCPreds.

ACS omega·2025
Same author

Supersecondary Structure Code for RNA: Trace of Conformational Change on the <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> Ribosome and the R-Loop Formation of Cas9.

ACS omega·2025
Same author

Stereochemistry of natural products from vibrational circular dichroism.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2024
Same author

Effect of Conformational Variability on the Drug Resistance of <i>Candida auris</i> ERG11p and FKS1.

ACS omega·2024
Same author

Exceptionally enhanced Raman optical activity (ROA) of amyloid fibrils and their prefibrillar states.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2023
Same author

Effect of Conformational Variability on Seasonable Thermal Stability and Cell Entry of Omicron Variants.

ACS omega·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Natural Photonic Structures Using Holographic Imaging
05:45

Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Natural Photonic Structures Using Holographic Imaging

Published on: March 31, 2022

3.0K

Vibrational optical activity: From discovery and development to future challenges.

Laurence A Nafie1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York.

Chirality
|February 22, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vibrational optical activity (VOA), including VCD and ROA, has advanced significantly since its discovery. Modern techniques now enable precise determination of molecular structure and supramolecular chirality.

Keywords:
Raman optical activity (ROA)vibrational circular dichroism (VCD)

More Related Videos

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
10:52

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation

Published on: February 4, 2017

10.1K
Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
10:35

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals

Published on: May 29, 2018

9.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Natural Photonic Structures Using Holographic Imaging
05:45

Uncovering Hidden Dynamics of Natural Photonic Structures Using Holographic Imaging

Published on: March 31, 2022

3.0K
Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
10:52

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation

Published on: February 4, 2017

10.1K
Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
10:35

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals

Published on: May 29, 2018

9.1K

Area of Science:

  • Spectroscopy
  • Chiroptical methods
  • Quantum chemistry

Background:

  • Vibrational optical activity (VOA), encompassing infrared vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and vibrational Raman optical activity (ROA), emerged between 1971 and 1975.
  • Key instrumental advances include Fourier-transform VCD (FT-VCD) and charge-coupled device (CCD) ROA.
  • Pioneering theoretical work established quantum chemistry formulations for VCD, including magnetic field perturbation (MFP) and nuclear velocity perturbation (NVP) theories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical development and key advances in Vibrational Optical Activity (VOA).
  • To highlight the application of VOA in determining absolute configuration and solution-state conformations.
  • To discuss recent discoveries in supramolecular chirality and future challenges in VOA research.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of experimental VOA spectra (VCD and ROA) with theoretical calculations.
  • Utilizing Fourier-transform VCD (FT-VCD) and multichannel charge-coupled detector (CCD) ROA instrumentation.
  • Application of quantum chemical theories (MFP and NVP) for spectral interpretation.

Main Results:

  • VOA enables accurate determination of absolute configuration and solution-state conformations.
  • Recent VCD studies have revealed supramolecular chirality in amyloid fibrils.
  • ROA has been applied to investigate high-order protein structures.

Conclusions:

  • VOA has evolved into a powerful tool for molecular structure elucidation.
  • Current VOA techniques are capable of uncovering complex chiral phenomena in biological systems.
  • Future research directions include understanding intermolecular interactions, chirality transfer, and solvent effects in VOA.