Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of the reduction product of 4-cyanopyridine on copper colloids

Abstract

Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of 4-cyanopyridine in a copper colloid solution were collected and showed no signal due to the C≡:N stretching normal mode. [15N]-4-Cyanopyridine was prepared and similar results were obtained. The spectra of these molecules on gold colloids contain a signal attributed to this mode. These data were interpreted as being due to a transition metal-assisted reduction of the nitrile group with the product 4-aminomethylpyridine being adsorbed on the copper surface. The surface-enhanced Raman spectrum of 4-aminomethylpyridine on a copper colloid is nearly identical with the spectrum collected for 4-cyanopyridine with the copper colloid. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.