Indole derivatives have garnered considerable attention in the realm of biochemistry due to their multifaceted properties. In this study, we undertake a systematic investigation of the vibrational characteristics of a model indole derivative, 6-isocyano-1-methyl-1H-indole (6ICMI), by employing a combination of FTIR, IR pump-probe spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Our findings demonstrate a strong dependence of the isonitrile stretching frequency of 6ICMI on the polarizability of protic solvents and the density of hydrogen-bond donor groups in the solvent when the isonitrile group is bonded to aromatic groups. Both experimental and theoretical analyses unveil a significant correlation between the isonitrile stretch vibration of 6ICMI and the solvent acceptor number of alcohols. Furthermore, the polarization-controlled infrared pump-probe conducted on 6ICMI in dimethyl sulfoxide provides additional support for the potential use of the isonitrile stretching mode of 6ICMI as an effective infrared probe for local environments.
Keywords: indole derivative; infrared probe; infrared spectroscopy; isonitrile group; theoretical calculations; vibrational characteristics.