Vibrational and electronic spectra of (benzene-benzyl alcohol)(+) - Predominance of charge resonance interaction over hydrogen-bonding interaction

Vibrational and electronic spectra of the benzene-benzyl alcohol hetero-dim er ion are measured by photodissociation spectroscopy. The vibrational spec trum shows a prominent band at 3662 +/- 3 cm(-1), which is assigned to the stretching vibration of the OH group free from intermolecular perturbations . The electronic spectrum shows a broad band around 950 nm, which arises fr om a charge resonance interaction between the aromatic rings. These results suggest that the ion has a sandwich-like structure suitable for the resona nce interaction, without the hydrogen bond between the OH group of benzyl a lcohol and the pi-electrons of benzene. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.