Resonance Raman Spectroscopy Investigation of the Interaction of Molecules Adsorbed on Solid Acid Surfaces

Many solid acids with very strong acid sites, as some zeolites, transition metal exchanged montmorillonites, sulfated metallic oxides, are known to have the oxidizing ability, which can be related to the catalytic activity of these materials. The interaction of these solid acids with aromatic molecules can give rise to several oxidation products. Intermediate species of aromatic molecules formed by interaction with strong solid acids had been reported, as radical cations, proving the oxidizing ability of the solids. Besides radical cations, charge transfer complexes between the solid acids and aromatic molecules can be formed. These radical cations and charge transfer complexes usually show absorption bands in the visible region, opening the possibility of studying these species by Resonance Raman Spectroscopy (RRS). Benzene and substituted benzenes, phenothiazine, t-stilbene, adsorbed on solid acids, are examples of molecules that had been investigated by RRS. Exciting the spectrum with suitable radiation makes it possible to observe the RRS of the species of interest even when its concentration is low, because of the preferential enhancement of the vibrational modes of the chromophore. A review of RRS studies of molecules adsorbed on solid acids is presented. RRS proved valuable in characterizing intermediate species as radical cations or charge transfer complexes formed on the solid acids.