Raman scattering from adenine, uracil and their derivatives adsorbed at a silver electrode

Abstract

Adsorption at a silver electrode of adenine, uracil and their monomeric nucleosides and nucleotides from neutral solutions of KCl was studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and the measurement of the double-layer capacitance. It was found that all compounds investigated except uridine 5'-monophosphate were strongly adsorbed at a positively charged electrode. Analysis of the surface Raman spectra was performed with the aim of obtaining qualitative information on the orientation and configuration of nucleic acid components in the adsorbed state. The results of this analysis were compatible with the conclusions on adsorption of these compounds drawn on the basis of previous measurements with the mercury electrode.