Characterization of crystal transformation in the solid-state by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) was utilized to investigate crystal transformation between p-benzoquinone and p-dihydroxybenzene in the solid-state. This process can be clearly visualized by THz spectral patterns of the pure starting compounds and the products at different conditions. The observed results were further confirmed by characteristic X-ray powder diffraction and mid-infrared spectra. The extent of crystal-to-crystal transformation was quantified by the absorption intensity ratio according to the Beer–Lambert law. THz-TDS was demonstrated to be a promising and complementary method in analyzing solid-state reactions.