Infrared and Raman spectroscopic study of 1,2-benzenedithiol adsorbed on silver

Adsorption of 1,2-benzenedithiol (1,2-BDT) on a silver surface has been investigated by surface-enhanced Raman (SER) and reflection-absorption infrared (RAI) spectroscopy. The molecule was adsorbed on silver very favorably by forming two Ag-S bonds after deprotonation. From the RAI spectral pattern, the benzene ring of adsorbed 1,2-BDT was presumed to be tilted by ca. 38 degrees from the surface normal. This RAI information was used to test the validity of various proposed SER selection rules. Being frequently quoted in the literature, the presence or absence of the benzene ring CH stretching vibration in the SER spectrum seemed, in fact, to be a very useful indicator in judging the perpendicular or parallel orientation of the benzene ring with respect to the surface. However, the so-called in-plane/out-of-plane dichotomy as well as the more elaborate symmetry-based electromagnetic selection rule was found not to work in the present system.