Simple hybrid polymeric nanostructures encapsulating macro-cyclic Gd/Eu based complexes: luminescence properties and application as MRI contrast agent.

Lanthanide-based macrocycles are successfully incorporated into hybrid polyionic complexes, formed by adding a mixture of zirconium ions to a solution of a double-hydrophilic block copolymer. The resulting nanoobjects with an average radius of approximately 10-15 nm present good colloidal and chemical stability in physiological media even in the presence of competing ions such as phosphate or calcium ions. The final optical and magnetic properties of these objects benefit from both their colloidal nature and the specific properties of the complexes. Hence these new nanocarriers exhibit enhanced T1 MRI contrast, when administered intravenously to mice.

Luminescent fac-[ReX(CO)3(phenyl-pyta)] (X = Cl, Br, I) complexes: influence of the halide ligand on the electronic properties in solution and in the solid state.

Tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes that incorporate a chloride ligand are promising photoluminescent materials, but those incorporating a bromide or iodide ligand have received very little attention regarding their solid-state properties. In this work, three rhenium(I) complexes differing only by the nature of their halide ligand (X = Cl, Br, and I) were compared. They are based on a fac-[ReX(CO)3(N^N)] framework where the N^N bidentate ligand is a 3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole unit functionalized by an appended phenyl group. DFT calculations showed that the character of the lowest energy transitions progressively changes from Re → N^N ligand (MLCT) to X → N^N ligand (XLCT) when increasing the size of the halogen atom. Regarding the electrochemical behavior, the chloride and bromide complexes 1-Cl and 1-Br were similar, while the iodide complex 1-I exhibited a strikingly different electrochemical signature in oxidation. From a spectroscopic viewpoint, all three complexes emitted weak red-orange phosphorescence in dichloromethane solution. However, in the solid state, marked differences appeared. Not only was 1-Cl a good emitter of yellow light, but it had strong solid-state luminescence enhancement (SLE) properties. In comparison, 1-Br and 1-I were less emissive and they showed better mechanoresponsive luminescence (MRL) properties, probably related to a loose molecular arrangement in the crystal packing and to the opening of vibrational non-radiative deactivation pathways. This study highlights for the first time how the nature of the halide ligand in this type of complex allows fine tuning of the solid-state optical properties, for potential applications either in bio-imaging or in the field of MRL-active materials.

Crystal structure of methyl 1,3-benzoxazole-2-carboxyl-ate.

The title compound, C9H7NO3, crystallizes in the monoclinic (P21) space group. In the crystal, the almost planar mol-ecules display a flattened herringbone arrangement. Stacking mol-ecules are slipped in the lengthwise and widthwise directions and are linked by π-π inter-actions [d(Cg⋯Cg = 3.6640 (11) Å]. The structure is characterized by strong C-H⋯N and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and further stabilized by C-O⋯π inter-actions.

Design of novel tripyridinophane-based Eu(III) complexes as efficient luminescent labels for bioassay applications.

In this work, the development of highly luminescent europium(III) complexes in water solution is reported, including their syntheses, analyses of their photophysical properties and applications in bioassays. Three Eu(III) complexes are derived from new ligands based on a tripyridinophane platform. There are four distinct sections in the structure of these ligands: an 18-membered polyaminocarboxylic macrocycle to bind efficiently lanthanide ions in aqueous solutions, three chromophoric subunits (4-(phenylethynyl)pyridine moieties) to effectively sensitize the emission of the metal, two peripheral moieties to solubilise the complex in aqueous media (sulfonate, sulfobetaine or glucose groups) and a free NH2 group available for grafting or bioconjugation. In our synthetic procedure, a pivotal macrocyclic platform is obtained with a high yield in the crucial macrocyclization step due to a metal template ion effect (74% yield). In Tris aqueous buffer (pH 7.4), the Eu(III) complexes show a maximum excitation wavelength at 320 nm, a suitable overall quantum yield (14%), a relatively long lifetime (0.80 ms) and a one-photon brightness in the range of 10 000 M-1 cm-1. Importantly, these photophysical properties are retained at dilute concentrations, even in the presence of a very large excess of potentially competing species, such as EDTA or Mg2+ ions. Furthermore, we report the bioconjugation of a Eu(III) complex labelled by an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester reactive group with an antibody (anti-glutathione-S-transferase) and the successful application of the corresponding antibody conjugate in the detection of GST-biotin in a fluoroimmunoassay. These new complexes provide a solution for high sensitivity in Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF®) bioassays.

Phenyl-pyta-tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes: combining a simplified structure and steric hindrance to modulate the photoluminescence properties.

Strongly luminescent tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes are promising candidates in the field of optical materials. In this study, three new complexes bearing a 3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (pyta) bidentate ligand with an appended phenyl group were obtained in very good yields owing to an optimized synthetic procedure. The first member of this series, i.e. complex 1, was compared with the previously studied complex RePBO to understand the influence of the fluorescent benzoxazole unit grafted on the phenyl ring. Then, to gauge the effect of steric hindrance on the luminescence properties, the phenyl group of complex 1 was substituted in the para position by a bulky tert-butyl group or an adamantyl moiety, affording complexes 2 and 3, respectively. The results of theoretical calculations indicated that these complexes were quite similar from an electronic point of view, as evidenced by the electrochemical study. In dichloromethane solution, under excitation in the UV range, all the complexes emitted weak phosphorescence in the red region. In the solid state, they could be excited in the blue region of the visible spectrum and they emitted strong yellow light. The photoluminescence quantum yield was markedly increased with raising the size of the substituent, passing from 0.42 for 1 to 0.59 for 3. The latter complex also exhibited clear waveguiding properties, unprecedented for rhenium complexes. From this point of view, these easy-synthesized and spectroscopically attractive complexes constitute a new generation of emitters for use in imaging applications and functional materials. However, the comparison with RePBO showed that the presence of the benzoxazole group leads to unsurpassed mechanoresponsive luminescence (MRL) properties, due to the involvement of a unique photophysical mechanism that takes place only in this type of complex.

Efficient photorelease of carbon monoxide from a luminescent tricarbonyl rhenium(I) complex incorporating pyridyl-1,2,4-triazole and phosphine ligands.

Precise control over the production of carbon monoxide (CO) is essential to exploit the therapeutic potential of this molecule. The development of photoactive CO-releasing molecules (PhotoCORMs) is therefore a promising route for future clinical applications. Herein, a tricarbonyl-rhenium(i) complex (1-TPP), which incorporates a phosphine moiety as ancilliary ligand for boosting the photochemical reactivity, and a pyridyltriazole bidentate ligand with appended 2-phenylbenzoxazole moiety for the purpose of photoluminescence, was synthesized and characterized from a chemical and crystallographic point of view. Upon irradiation in the near-UV range, complex 1-TPP underwent fast photoreaction, which was monitored through changes of the UV-vis absorption and phosphorescence spectra. The photoproducts (i.e. the dicarbonyl solvento complex 2 and one CO molecule) were identified using FTIR, 1H NMR and HRMS. The results were interpreted on the basis of DFT/TD-DFT calculations. The effective photochemical release of CO associated with clear optical variations (the emitted light passed from green to orange-red) could make 1-TPP the prototype of new photochemically-active agents, potentially useful for integration in photoCORM materials.

Tripyridinophane Platform Containing Three Acetate Pendant Arms: An Attractive Structural Entry for the Development of Neutral Eu(III) and Tb(III) Complexes in Aqueous Solution.

We report a detailed characterization of Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes derived from a tripyridinophane macrocycle bearing three acetate side arms (H3tpptac). Tpptac3- displays an overall basicity (∑ log KiH) of 24.5, provides the formation of mononuclear ML species, and shows a good binding affinity for Ln3+ (log KLnL = 17.5-18.7). These complexes are also thermodynamically stable at physiological pH (pEu = 18.6, pTb = 18.0). It should be noted that the pGd value of Gd-tpptac (18.4) is only slightly lower than that of commercially available MRI contrast agents such as Gd-dota (pGd = 19.2). Moreover, a very good selectivity for these ions over the endogenous cations (log KCuL = 14.4, log KZnL = 12.9, and log KCaL = 9.3) is observed. The X-ray structure of the terbium complex shows the metal coordinated by the nine N6O3 donor set of the ligand and one inner-sphere water molecule. DFT calculations result in two Eu-tpptac structures with similar bond energies (ΔE = 0.145 eV): one structure in which the water is coordinated to the metal ion and one structure in which the water molecule is farther away from the ion, bound to the ligand with an OH-π bond. By detailed luminescence experiments, we demonstrate that the europium complex in aqueous solution presents a hydration equilibrium between nine-coordinate, dehydrated [Eu-tpptac]0 and ten-coordinate, monohydrated [Eu-tpptac(H2O)]0 species. A similar trend is observed for the terbium complex. Despite the presence of this hydration equilibrium, the H3tpptac ligand sensitizes Eu3+ and Tb3+ luminescence efficiently in buffered water at physiological pH. Particularly, the terbium complex displays a long excited-state lifetime of 2.24 ms and an overall quantum yield of 33% with a brightness of 3600 M-1 cm-1. Such features of Ln3+ complexes of H3tpptac indicate that this platform appears to be particularly appealing for the further development of luminescent lanthanide labels.

2-Phenylbenzoxazole derivatives as solid-state fluorescence emitters: Influence of steric hindrance and hydrogen bonding on the optical properties.

Six new 2-phenylbenzoxazole (PBO) derivatives, bearing either a methoxy or hydroxy group at position 5, were prepared via an efficient one-step synthesis that allowed both analogues to be obtained in equal proportions. These PBO derivatives also differed by the presence or absence of an alkyl substituent at the para-position of the phenyl group. In organic solutions, all six compounds were strongly fluorescent in the near-UV range. In the solid state, the 5-methoxy derivatives emitted bright light, ranging from violet to deep blue according to the substitution of the phenyl group. The presence of a bulky tert-butyl group indeed resulted in the separation of molecules, but also led to a deviation from molecular planarity. Remarkably, the introduction of a methyl group had a far more beneficial effect on the optical properties. With regard to the hydroxy derivatives, none of them was photoluminescent, probably due to strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystals. The 50:50 mixtures of methoxy and hydroxy analogues showed acceptable emission properties in the solid state. The substitution pattern also influenced the crystal habit of the pure compounds and the crystallinity of the mixtures. These cheap molecules could be adapted to suit a variety of applications in the field of photoluminescent materials.

New polyaminocarboxylate macrocycles containing phenolate binding units: synthesis, luminescent and relaxometric properties of their lanthanide complexes.

The synthesis of two new polyaminocarboxylate macrocycles incorporating one or two intracyclic phenol units (H4L1 and H8L2, respectively) is described. The 12-membered H4L1 macrocycle leads to soluble and stable mononuclear LnIII complexes of [(L1)Ln(H2O)2]- composition (Ln = Eu, Tb and Gd) in aqueous solutions. In Tris buffer (pH 7.4), the [(L1)Tb(H2O)2]- complex displays a suitable efficiency for sensitized emission (ηsens = 48%) and a high luminescence quantum yield (Φ = 22%), which is worthy of note for a bis-hydrated terbium complex. Besides, luminescence experiments show that bidentate endogenous anions (citrate, carbonate, and phosphate) do not displace the two inner-sphere water molecules of this complex. In contrast, the possible presence of LMCT states causes the europium complex to be weakly luminescent. The [(L1)Gd(H2O)2]- complex is characterized by high relaxivity (r = 7.2 s-1 mM-1 at 20 MHz) and a very short water residence time of the coordinated water molecules (τ = 9 ns), promising values for the realisation of macromolecular systems with high relaxivities. Thus, the Tb and Gd complexes of the H4L1 macrocycle exhibit several improvements in terms of luminescent (lower excitation energy, higher brightness) and relaxometric (shorter τM) properties compared to the corresponding LnPCTA complexes, where a phenol moiety substitutes a pyridine ring. On the other hand, the 24-membered H8L2 macrocycle including two phenol units in its structure leads to dinuclear complexes of [(L2)Ln2]2- composition. Its terbium complex shows a long luminescence lifetime (2 ms) and a high quantum yield (43%) in aqueous solutions, making this compound a new promising candidate for time-resolved applications.

Optical and relaxometric properties of monometallic (Eu(III), Tb(III), Gd(III)) and heterobimetallic (Re(I)/Gd(III)) systems based on a functionalized bipyridine-containing acyclic ligand.

A series of lanthanide complexes of [LnL(H2O)](2-) composition where Ln = Eu(III), Tb(III) or Gd(III) has been studied for determining their photophysical and relaxometric properties in aqueous solution. The bifunctional ligand L (H5BPMNTA) is an acyclic chelator based on a central functionalized 2,2'-bipyridine core and two iminodiacetate coordinating arms. The mono-aqua Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes display attractive spectroscopic properties with an excitation wavelength at 316 nm, similar excited state lifetimes and overall quantum yields (in the ranges 0.5-0.6 ms and 10-13%, respectively) in Tris buffer (pH 7.4). The proton longitudinal relaxivity, r1, of the Gd(III) complex is 4.4 mM(-1) s(-1) at 20 MHz and 310 K, which is comparable to that of the clinically used Gd-DTPA (Magnevist®). Interestingly, the water exchange rate between the coordination site and the bulk solvent is very fast (Kex = 2.6 × 10(8) s(-1) at 310 K). The ability of the complex to bind non-covalently to human serum albumin (HSA) was also examined by relaxometric measurements. We also report the synthesis and properties of a bimetallic complex based on Gd-BPMNTA and Re(I)(bpy)(CO)3 components. In this system, the Re core exhibits interesting photophysical properties (λem = 588 nm, Φ = 1.4%) and the Gd-BPMNTA core displays improved relaxivity (r1 = 6.6 mM(-1) s(-1) at 20 MHz and 310 K), due to an increase of the rotational correlation time. Besides these appealing optical and relaxometric properties, the presence of a reactive function on the structure proposes this potential dual imaging probe for conjugation to biomolecules or nanomaterials.

Terpyridine-based heteroditopic ligand for Ru(II)Ln3(III) metallostar architectures (Ln = Gd, Eu, Nd, Yb) with MRI/optical or dual-optical responses.

A new ditopic ligand (L) based on a 2,2':5',4″-terpyridine unit substituted in the 2″,6″ positions with iminodiacetate arms has been designed and synthesized for the construction of Ru(II)L3Ln3(III) supramolecular architectures. The two components of this system, a 2,2'-bipyridine unit for Ru(II) coordination and a pyridine-bis(iminodiacetate) core for Ln(III) coordination, are tightly connected via a covalent Carom(py)-Carom(py) bond. The paramagnetic and photophysical properties of the corresponding tetrametallic Ru(II)L3Gd3(III) complex have been evaluated, highlighting the potential of this metallostar structure to act as a bimodal MRI/optical imaging agent. Variable-temperature (17)O NMR and proton nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion (NMRD) measurements showed that this complex exhibits (i) a remarkable relaxivity per metallostar molecule, particularly at clinical and high magnetic fields (r1(310K) = 51.0 and 36.0 mM(-1) s(-1) at 20 and 300 MHz, respectively) and (ii) a near-optimal residence lifetime of Gd(III) coordinated water molecule (τM(310K) = 77.5 ns). This is the result of the presence of two inner-sphere water molecules in the Gd(III) components of the metallostar and a slow tumbling rate of the molecule (τR(310K) = 252 ps). Upon excitation in the visible domain (λexc = 472 nm), the Ru(II) component of the complex exhibits a bright-red luminescence centered at 660 nm with a quantum yield of 2.6% in aqueous solutions at pH 7.4. Moreover, this Ru(II)L3Gd3(III) assembly is also characterized by a high kinetic inertness in biological media (PBS and human serum solutions) and a high photostability (photobleaching). Finally, preliminary photophysical studies on RuL3Nd3 and RuL3Yb3 assemblies revealed that the Ru(II) center acts as an effective sensitizer for Ln(III)-based luminescence in the near-IR region. The Nd(III) species was found to be the most effective at quenching the (3)MLCT luminescence of the Ru center.

Bifunctional Gd(III) and Tb(III) chelates based on a pyridine-bis(iminodiacetate) platform, suitable optical probes and contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.

To study the physicochemical properties of lanthanide complexes derived from a bifunctional chelating agent based on a PMN-tetraacetic acid moiety {PMN-tetraacetic acid (1): [2,6-pyridinediylbis(methylene nitrilo)-tetraacetic acid]}, 4-carboxylic acid substituted pyridine derivative (2) was synthesized. This ligand forms heptadentate (N3 O4 ) Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Gd, Eu, Tb), with two water molecules completing the inner coordination sphere of the metal. The parameters that govern the relaxivity of the Gd(III) complex and the luminescence of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes were obtained by (17) O and (1) H NMR studies and time-resolved fluorescence experiments, respectively. The gadolinium and terbium complexes show interesting properties either for MRI or FOR optical imaging; that is, for the Gd complex, a high proton relaxivity (r1 = 6.4 s(-1) mM(-1) at 20 MHz) with short water residence time (τM = 38.5 ns); for the Tb complex, a luminescence lifetime of 1.22 ms at room temperature and a luminescence quantum yield of 10%. The kinetic stability of these complexes toward blood protein, cation or bioactive oxyanion was also examined. The Gd(2)(H2O)2 complex does not interact with human serum albumin, but undergoes a transmetalation reaction with Zn(II) in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4), rather similar to that of Gd-DTPA-BMA(H2 O). On the other hand, as observed for Eu and Tb complexes, these chelates do not form ternary complexes with bidentate anions such as l-lactate, citrate or carbonate. Finally, a phosphatidylserine-specific hexapeptide (TLVSSL) was grafted on Gd or Tb chelates, and the Gd-peptide conjugate was used in vitro for targeting apoptotic cells.

A functionalized heterobimetallic (99m)Tc/Re complex as a potential dual-modality imaging probe: synthesis, photophysical properties, cytotoxicity and cellular imaging investigations.

A novel bimodal fluorescent/radiolabelled probe based on a pyridyltriazole scaffold (known as pyta) is reported here. The final dual imaging agent combines carboxylate functionalization, for biomolecule conjugation, with two distinct metal chelating sites: a pyta-based tricarbonylrhenium moiety as a fluorescent probe and a (99m)Tc(CO3)(+) core through the tridentate chelating iminodiacetic acid (IDA) clamp as a SPECT reporter. The heterodinuclear (99m)Tc/Re complex , as well as its non-radioactive dirhenium analog , was prepared in six steps. The (99m)Tc/Re agent is water-soluble and stable against histidine challenge. Its structural characterization was achieved by HPLC comparison with the non-radioactive complex . Upon excitation in the MLCT band at 321 nm, the compound exhibits a bright green luminescence centered at 496 nm, with a quantum yield of 0.86% in Tris buffer, pH 7.4. Additionally, the influence of this compound on cell viability was tested on malignant cell lines (A549, HT29 and MCF-7 human lung, colon and breast carcinomas, respectively). Cell viability after 72 h incubation at 37 °C with 300 µmol of complex was >60% for all cell lines. Finally, cellular uptake studies of compound were performed by fluorescent microscopy, showing that the complex was clearly detected at the cellular level in A549 cells and to a lesser extent in HT29 cells. Taking into consideration the luminescent properties, the good radiochemical purity and the promising biological data (in vitro stability, non-toxicity, and cell tracking in two cell lines), the functionalized (99m)Tc/Re dinuclear compound can be considered a potential pre- and intraoperative diagnostic probe.

Synthesis and optical properties of macrocyclic lanthanide(III) chelates as new reagents for luminescent biolabeling.

The convenient and efficient synthesis of two macrocyclic ligands (15- and 18-membered) based on a dipyrido-6,7,8,9-tetrahydrophenazine (dpqc) or 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (tpy) heterocycle and a DTTA (diethylenetriaminetriacetic acid) skeleton is described. In these ligands the DTTA skeleton contains an additional extracyclic functionality (NH(2) group) suitable for covalent attachment to bioactive molecules. These octa- and nonadentate ligands form very stable and luminescent neutral lanthanide complexes in aqueous solutions at physiological pH. The corresponding Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes are characterized by a maximum absorption wavelength compatible with nitrogen laser excitation (337 nm) and attractive lifetimes and quantum yields. Further introduction of a maleimide bioconjugatable handle in the Eu(III) complexes was investigated and a valuable luminescence brightness above 1500 dm(3) mol(-1) cm(-1) at 337 nm was obtained with the corresponding Eu(III) tpy-derivative. Finally, these two luminescent chelates were grafted onto thiol residues of a model antibody (Mab GSS11) without loss of their luminescent properties.

Lanthanide(III) complexes of pyridine-tetraacetic acid-glycoconjugates: synthesis and luminescence studies of mono and divalent derivatives.

A potent lanthanide chelate, fulfilling the requirements for the development of MRI contrast agents or luminescent probes, was armed with alkyne groups. We then implemented a click methodology to graft the bifunctional ligand to azide-containing glucoside and maltoside scaffolds. The resulting hydrophilic glycoconjugates retained the ligand binding capacity for Eu(3+) or Tb(3+) ion as evidenced by the number of bound water molecules to the lanthanide ion. Divalent Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) complexes were shown to double the brightness of the emitted fluorescent signal compared to its monovalent derivatives. Designing multivalent lanthanide luminescent probes would enable the fluorescent signal of labeled biomolecules to be enhanced.

Development and characterization of new cyclodextrin polymer-based DNA delivery systems.

In this study, we investigated whether a cyclodextrin polymer (polybetaCD) complexed with cationic adamantyl derivatives (Ada) could be used as a vector for gene delivery. DNA compaction as a function of adamantyl/DNA phosphate ratio (A/P) by this new class of vector was demonstrated using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, and DNA retardation assays. Transfection data highlight the relationship between in vitro gene delivery efficiency and the combination of several physical properties of the polybetaCD/Ada/DNA polyplexes, including cationic polar headgroup valency and chemical structure of the spacer arm of Ada connectors, the adamantyl/DNA phosphate ratio (A/P) of the polybetaCD/Ada/DNA polyplexes, and the ionic strength of the medium. Finally, when associating the best formulation with a fusogenic peptide, we reached transfection levels which were of the same order as those obtained with DOTAP.

Kinetics of the electron transfer reaction of Cytochrome c (552) adsorbed on biomimetic electrode studied by time-resolved surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy and electrochemistry.

Cytochrome c (552) (Cyt-c (552)) and its redox partner ba ( 3 )-oxidase from Thermus thermophilus possess structural differences compared with Horse heart cytochrome c (cyt-c)/cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) system, where the recognition between partners and the electron transfer (ET) process is initiated via electrostatic interactions. We demonstrated in a previous study by surface-enhanced resonance Raman (SERR) spectroscopy that roughened silver electrodes coated with uncharged mixed self-assembled monolayers HS-(CH(2))( n )-CH(3)/HS-(CH(2))( n + 1)-OH 50/50, n = 5, 10 or 15, was a good model to mimic the Cyt-c (552) redox partner. All the adsorbed molecules are well oriented on such biomimetic electrodes and transfer one electron during the redox process. The present work focuses on the kinetic part of the heterogeneous ET process of Cyt-c (552) adsorbed onto electrodes coated with such mixed SAMs of different alkyl chain length. For that purpose, two complementary methods were combined. Firstly cyclic voltammetry shows that the ET between the adsorbed Cyt-c (552) and the biomimetic electrode is direct and reversible. Furthermore, it allows the estimation of both the density surface coverage of adsorbed Cyt-c (552) and the kinetic constants values. Secondly, time-resolved SERR (TR-SERR) spectroscopy showed that the ET process occurs without conformational change of the Cyt-c (552) heme group and allows the determination of kinetic constants. Results show that the kinetic constant values obtained by TR-SERR spectroscopy could be compared to those obtained from cyclic voltammetry. They are estimated at 200, 150 and 40 s(-1) for the ET of Cyt-c (552) adsorbed onto electrodes coated with mixed SAMs HS-(CH(2))( n )-CH(3)/HS-(CH(2))( n + 1)-OH 50/50, n = 5, 10 or 15, respectively.

Extended tunnelling states in the benzoic acid crystal: infrared and Raman spectra of the OH and OD stretching modes.

We compare Raman and infrared spectra of the nuOH/OD modes in benzoic acid crystal powders at 7 K. The extremely sharp Raman bands contrast to the broad infrared profiles and suggest adiabatic separation of hydrogen (deuterium) dynamics from the crystal lattice. There is no evidence of any proton-proton coupling term. The assignment scheme is consistent with a quasisymmetric double-minimum potential, largely temperature independent. Tunnel splitting is a major band shaping mechanism, in addition to anharmonic coupling with lattice modes. The proton/deuteron dynamics are rationalized with nonlocal pseudoparticles and extended states. We propose a symmetry-related damping mechanism to account for the broad infrared profiles, as opposed to the sharp Raman bands. We assign spectral features to distinct interconversion mechanisms based on either pseudoparticle transfer or adiabatic pairwise transfer. We establish close contacts with theoretical models based on first-principles calculations.