Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds are fundamental biochemical components of all life on Earth and, presumably, life elsewhere in our solar system. Detection and characterization of these compounds by traditional solvent extraction, chromatographic separation, and GC–MS analysis require more sample mass than will be available from samples returned to Earth from Mars. With its small sample mass requirement, Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy could be an appropriate technique for analysis of returned samples. We have developed a SERS method for the detection of maleimide (2,5-pyrroledione), an N-containing heterocycle with a structure that is widespread in biochemicals. This semi-quantitative methodology accurately determines maleimide concentration in the range from 60 µg/mL to 120 µg/mL. We present a maleimide SERS standard spectrum which will be useful as a reference for future works. The present work demonstrates an easy, accurate, and effective method for the non-destructive qualitative and semi-quantitative study of maleimide as a first step toward developing a method for analysis of related compounds.

含氮杂环化合物是地球上所有生命以及太阳系其他生物的基本生化组成部分。通过传统的溶剂萃取，色谱分离和GC-MS分析来检测和表征这些化合物所需的样品质量要比从火星返回地球的样品要多。由于样品质量要求低，表面增强拉曼光谱法可能是分析返回样品的合适技术。我们已经开发出一种用于检测马来酰亚胺（2,5-吡咯二酮）的SERS方法，马来酰亚胺（2,5-吡咯二酮）是一种含氮杂环，其结构在生化试剂中广泛存在。这种半定量方法可精确测定60 µg / mL至120 µg / mL范围内的马来酰亚胺浓度。我们提出了一种马来酰亚胺SERS标准光谱，这将为以后的工作提供参考。本工作证明了一种简便，准确和有效的方法，用于马来酰亚胺的无损定性和半定量研究，是开发相关化合物分析方法的第一步。