Photoelectron spectra and biological activity of cinnamic acid derivatives revisited

Abstract

The electronic structures of several derivatives of cinnamic acid have been studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and Green's function quantum chemical calculations. The spectra reveal the presence of dimers in the gas phase for p-coumaric and ferulic acids. The electronic structure analysis has been related to the biological properties of these compounds through the analysis of some structure-activity relationships (SAR).

Keywords: Biological activity; Cinnamic acid derivatives; Photoelectron spectroscopy.