A resonance Raman investigation on the interaction of styrene and 4-methyl styrene oligomers on sulphated titanium oxide

Abstract In order to understand the nature of the interaction that gives rise to the yellow–orange colour observed when styrene or 4-methyl styrene are put in contact with sulphated TiO 2 , the resonance Raman spectra of such systems, including deuterated styrene (ring-deuterated d 5 and perdeuterated d 8 ) and allylbenzene were investigated. In all cases a substantial enhancement of the ring ν (CC) stretching mode was observed. A charge transfer process involving a transition from the ring π-electrons to the empty d-π orbitals of titanium was ascribed responsible for the absorption in the visible. Two types of resonance Raman spectra were observed depending on the excitation wavelength, which can be explained by the presence of two kinds of oligomers, saturated and unsaturated, on the surface of the oxide with the former giving rise to a Raman enhancement at a higher excitation energy.