Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of the reduction product of 4-cyanopyridine on copper colloids

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of 4‐cyanopyridine in a copper colloid solution were collected and showed no signal due to the C≡:N stretching normal mode. [15N]‐4‐Cyanopyridine was prepared and similar results were obtained. The spectra of these molecules on gold colloids contain a signal attributed to this mode. These data were interpreted as being due to a transition metal‐assisted reduction of the nitrile group with the product 4‐aminomethylpyridine being adsorbed on the copper surface. The surface‐enhanced Raman spectrum of 4‐aminomethylpyridine on a copper colloid is nearly identical with the spectrum collected for 4‐cyanopyridine with the copper colloid. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.