Monitoring Phosphorylation and Dephosphorylation Reactions by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) in Model Compounds

Abstract

Raman and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectra of phosphates, polyphosphates, and various phosphate complexes have been recorded. Bands of the vibrational spectra were assigned. The comparison of SERS spectra obtained by using colloidal silver with the corresponding Raman spectrum reveals enhancement and shifts in some bands, suggesting a possible partial charge-transfer mechanism in the SERS effect. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions brought about by the reactions of cobalt (III) bis trimethylenediamine phosphate/pyrophosphate complexes with nitrophenol/nitrophenyl phosphates are described.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Surface-enhanced Raman scattering
• phosphorylation
• cobalt(III) complexes
• enzyme models
• nitrophenol
• nitrophenylphosphate

Acknowledgments

We are pleased to acknowledge the National Research Foundation (NRF) for supporting research in our lab under the Ecotoxicology flagship project. The assistance rendered to K. Eguzozie by Grow Your Own Timber (GYOT) of the College of Science Engineering and Technology, UNISA, is gratefully acknowledged. We are indebted to Professor Sylvia Paul for the technical assistance and helpful discussion.