Ultrafast Electronic Relaxation in Guanosine is Promoted by Hydrogen Bonding with Cytidine

摘要

Base pairing by hydrogen bonding is the key feature determining the shape and function of DNA. It is responsible for the double helix structure, plays a role in the transcription of the genetic code into proteins, and enables the duplication of DNA molecules and thereby the reproduction of life. Yet the available information on the properties and the distinctive dynamics of H-bonded nucleobase pairs is still very limited. A number of multiphoton ionization and IR/UV double resonance spectra of H-bridged nucleobase complexes in the gas phase have been recorded in the past few years and provided valuable insight into different isomeric structures.