Application of comparative vibrational spectroscopic and mechanistic studies in analysis of fisetin structure

This paper addresses experimental and theoretical research in fisetin (2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one) structure by means of experimental IR and Raman spectroscopies and mechanistic calculations. Density Functional Theory calculations, with M05-2X functional and the 6-311+G (2df, p) basis set implemented in the Gaussian 09 package, are performed with the aim to support molecular structure, vibrational bands’ positions and their intensities. Potential energy distribution (PED) values and the description of the largest vibrational contributions to the normal modes are calculated. The most intense bands appear in the 1650–1500 cm−1 wavenumber region. This region involves a combination of the CO, C2C3 and C–C stretching vibrational modes. Most of the bands in the 1500–1000 cm−1 range involve C–C stretching, O–C stretching and in-plane C–C–H, C–O–H, C–C–O and C–C–C bending vibrations of the rings. The region below 1000 cm−1 is characteristic to the combination of in plane C–C–C–H, H–C–C–H, C–C–C–C, C–C–O–C and out of plane O–C–C–C, C–C–O–C, C–C–C–C torsional modes. The Raman spectra of baicalein and quercetin were used for qualitative comparison with fisetin spectrum and verification of band assignments. The applied detailed vibrational spectral analysis and the assignments of the bands, proposed on the basis of fundamentals, reproduced the experimental results with high degree of accuracy.

Graphical abstractSpectral assignments done on the best-fit basis comparison of the experimentally obtained and theoretically calculated vibrational spectra of fisetin match quite well indicating DFT calculations as very accurate source of normal mode assignments.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The experimental and theoretical research in fisetin structure is performed. ► The assignments of the bands are proposed on the basis of fundamentals. ► Description of the largest vibrational contributions to the normal modes is given. ► The Raman spectra of baicalein and quercetin were used for qualitative comparison.