Infrared and Raman spectroscopy are used in this work to study the metallic
complexes of salicylic acid with silver and copper, comparing the interact
ion between salicylate and the cations (Ag+ and Cu2+) in the metal complexe
s with the SERS spectra when adsorbed on colloidal metal surfaces of the sa
me metals. The salicylate complexes with the above metals were compared to
those of Na+, Fe3+ and Al3+ cations. A different interaction mechanism is d
educed for salicylate in the metal complex and when adsorbed on the metal s
urface. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.