Conformational rotation of 2-amino-1-butanol adsorbed on the Ag and Au electrodes as evidenced by the surface enhanced Raman scattering

The surface enhanced Raman spectra of the C–H stretching of 2-amino-1-butanol on the Ag and Au electrodes are deconvoluted and analyzed with emphasis on the intensity ratios among the various vibrational modes. The conformational rotation such that the methyl group is in contact with the electrode surface is interpreted as the electrode is toward the more positive applied voltage. Both charge transfer and electromagnetic effects are also interpreted. The former is mainly via the Ag (Au)–N–C–C–O backbone and the latter is mostly on the rest –CH2 and –CH3 moieties.