The monomeric iron(II) amido derivatives Fe{N(H)Ar*}2 (1), Ar* = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3)2, and Fe{N(H)Ar#}2 (2), Ar# = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Me3)2, were synthesized and studied in order to determine the effects of geometric changes on their unusual magnetic properties. The compounds, which are the first stable homoleptic primary amides of iron(II), were obtained by the transamination of Fe{N(SiMe3)2}2, with HN(SiMe3)2 elimination, by the primary amines H2NAr* or H2NAr#. X-ray crystallography shows that they have either strictly linear (1) or bent (2, N–Fe–N = 140.9(2)°) iron coordination. Variable temperature magnetization and applied magnetic field Mössbauer spectroscopy studies reveal a very large dependence of the magnetic properties on the metal coordination geometry. At ambient temperature, the linear 1 displayed an effective magnetic moment in the range 7.0 to 7.50 μB, consistent with essentially free ion magnetism. There is a very high internal orbital field component, HL ≈ 170 T which is only exceeded by a HL ≈ 203 T of Fe{C(SiMe3)3}2. In contrast, the strongly bent 2 displays a significantly lower μeff value in the range 5.25 to 5.80 μB at ambient temperature and a much lower orbital field HL value of 116 T. The data for the two amido complexes demonstrate a very large quenching of the orbital magnetic moment upon bending the linear geometry. In addition, a strong correlation of HL with overall formal symmetry is confirmed. ESR spectroscopy supports the existence of large orbital magnetic moments in 1 and 2, and DFT calculations provide good agreement with the physical data.

High-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy of a classical coordination complex, Mn(acac)(3) (Hacac = 2,4-pentanedione), has been performed on both solid powder and frozen solution (in CH(2)Cl(2)/toluene, 3:2 v/v) samples. Parallel mode detection X-band EPR spectra exhibiting resolved (55)Mn hyperfine coupling were additionally obtained for frozen solutions. Magnetic susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization measurements were also made on powder samples. Analysis of the entire EPR data set for the frozen solution allowed extraction of the relevant spin Hamiltonian parameters: D = -4.52(2); |E| = 0.25(2) cm(-1); g(iso) = 1.99(1). The somewhat lower quality solid-state HFEPR data and the magnetic measurements confirmed these parameters. These parameters are compared to those for other complexes of Mn(III) and to previous studies on Mn(acac)(3) using X-ray crystallography, solution electronic absorption spectroscopy, and powder magnetic susceptibility. Crystal structures have been reported for Mn(acac)(3) and show tetragonal distortion, as expected for this Jahn-Teller ion (Mn(3+), 3d(4)). However, in one case, the molecule exhibits axial compression and, in another, axial elongation. The current HFEPR studies clearly show the negative sign of D, which corresponds to an axial (tetragonal) elongation in frozen solution. The correspondence among solution and solid-state HFEPR data, solid-state magnetic measurements, and an HFEPR study by others on a related complex indicates that the form of Mn(acac)(3) studied here exhibits axial elongation in all cases. Such tetragonal elongation has been found for Mn(3+) and Cr(2+) complexes with homoleptic pseudooctahedral geometry as well as for Mn(3+) in square pyramidal geometry. This taken together with the results obtained here for Mn(acac)(3) in frozen solution indicates that axial elongation could be considered the "natural" form of Jahn-Teller distortion for octahedral high-spin 3d(4) ions. The previous electronic absorption data together with current HFEPR and magnetic data allow estimation of ligand-field parameters for Mn(acac)(3).

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies at multiple frequencies (MF EPR) can provide detailed electronic structure descriptions of unpaired electrons in organic radicals, inorganic complexes, and metalloenzymes. Analysis of these properties aids in the assignment of the chemical environment surrounding the paramagnet and provides mechanistic insight into the chemical reactions in which these systems take part. Herein, we present results from pulsed EPR studies performed at three different frequencies (9, 31, and 130 GHz) on [Mn(II)(H 2 O) 6 ] 2+ , Mn(II) adducts with the nucleotides ATP and GMP, and the Mn(II)-bound form of the hammerhead ribozyme (MnHH). Through line shape analysis and interpretation of the zero-field splitting values derived from successful simulations of the corresponding continuous-wave and field-swept echodetected spectra, these data are used to exemplify the ability of the MF EPR approach in distinguishing the nature of the first ligand sphere. A survey of recent results from pulsed EPR, as well as pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance and electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopic studies applied to Mn(II)-dependent systems, is also presented. Mn-Containing Biological SystemsManganese operates as a cofactor in numerous proteins, serving both catalytic and structural roles [1][2][3][4]. Many Mn-dependent enzymes take advantage o f the rich redox chemistry available to the metal, accessing the +2, +3, +4, and perhaps even the +5 oxidation states during their turnover. For example, Mn-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), which detoxifies the cell of the superoxide radical , cycles between the Mn(II) and Mn(III) oxidation states via the ping-pong type mechanism shown below [5][6][7][8][9].(1a) (1b) Other examples of such mononuclear redox-active enzymes include the manganese peroxidase responsible for lignin degradation by white-rot fungus [10][11][12]; a unique Mndependent form of lipoxygenase [13][14][15][16]; oxalate decarboxylase [17,18]; as well as an extradiol catechol dioxygenase [19][20][21]. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author ManuscriptIn order to help minimize kinetic and thermodynamic penalties associated with electron transfer events and the execution of chemical reactions, two or more metal centers can be coupled together to provide active sites capable of conducting multiple electrons while still operating within a physiologically accessible range of reduction potentials [22]. Only three such examples of redox-active polynuclear Mn enzymes are known: Mn-catalase that disproportionates hydrogen peroxide [23][24][25][26]; a Mn form of ribonucleotide reductase (Mn-RNR) [27,28]; and, arguably the most recognized Mn-dependent enzyme, the photosynthetic core of green plants, algae, and certain cyanobacteria termed photosystem II (PSII) [29,30]. Through a series of photoinitiated electron transfer events, oxidizing equivalents are stored on the tetranuclear Mn core of PSII -the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) -which then extracts four electr...

Multifrequency electron-spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy is used to ascertain the nature of the bonding interactions of various active site amino acids with the Mn ions that compose the oxygen-evolving cluster (OEC) in photosystem II (PSII) from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 poised in the S2 state. Spectra of natural isotopic abundance PSII (14N-PSII), uniformly 15N-labeled PSII (15N-PSII), as well as 15N-PSII containing 14N-histidine (14N-His/15N-PSII) are compared. These complementary data sets allow for a precise determination of the spin Hamiltonian parameters of the postulated histidine nitrogen interaction with the Mn ions of the OEC. These results are compared to those from a similar study on PSII isolated from spinach. Upon mutation of His332 of the D1 polypeptide to a glutamate residue, all isotopically sensitive spectral features vanish. Additional Ka- and Q-band ESEEM experiments on the D1-D170H site-directed mutant give no indication of new 14N-based interactions.

Multifrequency electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy is employed to measure the strength of the hyperfine coupling of magnetic nuclei to the paramagnetic (S = 1/2) S2 form of photosystem II (PSII). Previous X-band-frequency ESEEM studies indicated that one or more histidine nitrogens are electronically coupled to the tetranuclear manganese cluster in the S2 state of PSII. However, the spectral resolution was relatively poor at the approximately 9 GHz excitation frequency, precluding any in-depth analysis of the corresponding bonding interaction between the detected histidine and the manganese cluster. Here we report ESEEM experiments using higher X-, P-, and Ka-band microwave frequencies to target PSII membranes isolated from spinach. The X- to P-band ESEEM spectra suffer from the same poor resolution as that observed in previous experiments, while the Ka-band spectra show remarkably well-resolved features that allow for the direct determination of the nuclear quadrupolar couplings for a single I = 1(14)N nucleus. The Ka-band results demonstrate that at an applied field of 1.1 T we are much closer to the exact cancellation limit (alpha iso = 2nu(14)N) that optimizes ESEEM spectra. These results reveal hyperfine (alpha iso = 7.3 +/- 0.20 MHz and alpha dip = 0.50 +/- 0.10 MHz) and nuclear quadrupolar (e(2)qQ = 1.98 +/- 0.05 MHz and eta = 0.84 +/- 0.06) couplings for a single (14)N nucleus magnetically coupled to the manganese cluster in the S 2 state of PSII. These values are compared to the histidine imidazole nitrogen hyperfine and nuclear quadrupolar couplings found in superoxidized manganese catalase as well as (14)N couplings in relevant manganese model complexes.

Several molecular mechanisms for cleavage of the oxalate carbon-carbon bond by manganese-dependent oxalate decarboxylase have recently been proposed involving high oxidation states of manganese. We have examined the oxalate decarboxylase from Bacillus subtilis by electron paramagnetic resonance in perpendicular and parallel polarization configurations to test for the presence of such species in the resting state and during enzymatic turnover. Simulation and the position of the half-field Mn(II) line suggest a nearly octahedral metal geometry in the resting state. No spectroscopic signature for Mn(III) or Mn(IV) is seen in parallel mode EPR for samples frozen during turnover, consistent either with a large zero-field splitting in the oxidized metal center or undetectable levels of these putative high-valent intermediates in the steady state. A narrow, featureless g ‫؍‬ 2.0 species was also observed in perpendicular mode in the presence of substrate, enzyme, and dioxygen. Additional splittings in the signal envelope became apparent when spectra were taken at higher temperatures. Isotopic editing resulted in an altered line shape only when tyrosine residues of the enzyme were specifically deuterated. Spectral processing confirmed multiple splittings with isotopically neutral enzyme that collapsed to a single prominent splitting in the deuterated enzyme. These results are consistent with formation of an enzyme-based tyrosyl radical upon oxalate exposure. Modestly enhanced relaxation relative to abiological tyrosyl radicals was observed, but site-directed mutagenesis indicated that conserved tyrosine residues in the active site do not host the unpaired spin. Potential roles for manganese and a peripheral tyrosyl radical during steady-state turnover are discussed.The oxalate decarboxylase (OxDC, 1 or YvrK based on the corresponding open reading frame) from Bacillus subtilis has recently garnered attention because of its mechanistically intriguing reaction (1-4) (Scheme 1). Purified OxDC crystallizes as a hexamer of 43-kDa subunits, each of which is a member of the "bicupin" structural family (5), and contains two mononuclear manganese centers with amino acid ligands that are functionally similar to those of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) (6); namely three histidine residues and one carboxylic acid residue. Oxalate 13 C and 18 O isotope effects on V max /K m of YvrK suggest the presence of a slow, partially rate-determining step prior to the irreversible C-C bond cleavage (4), which was proposed to be a proton-coupled electron transfer.The requirement for and substoichiometric consumption of dioxygen in the YvrK catalytic process, involvement of open shell manganese (2), and chemical precedent for oxalate decarboxylation in the Kolbe electrolysis (7,8) and the BorodinHunsdiecker reaction (9 -11) have led to various mechanistic proposals involving radical intermediates, and enzymic manganese complexes with formal oxidation states of either Mn(III) (2, 4) or Mn(IV) (3). A previously published electron paramagneti...

The CalEPR Center at UC-Davis (http://brittepr.ucdavis.edu) is equipped with five research grade electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) instruments operating at various excitation frequencies between 8 and 130 GHz. Of particular note for this RSC meeting are two pulsed EPR spectrometers working at the intermediate microwave frequencies of 31 and 35 GHz. Previous lower frequency electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) studies indicated that histidine nitrogen is electronically coupled to the Mn cluster in the S 2 state of photosystem II (PSII). However, the amplitude and resolution of the spectra were relatively poor at these low frequencies, precluding any in-depth analysis of the electronic structure properties of this closely associated nitrogen nucleus. With the intermediate frequency instruments, we are much closer to the 'exact cancellation' limit, which optimizes ESEEM spectra for hyperfine-coupled nuclei such as 14 N and 15 N. Herein, we report the results from ESEEM studies of both 14 N-and 15 N-labelled PSII at these two frequencies. Spectral simulations were constrained by both isotope datasets at both frequencies, with a focus on high-resolution spectral examination of the histidine ligation to the Mn cluster in the S 2 state.

Phosphorus containing and octyl-terminated silicon nanoparticles (NPs) are generated by a solution reduction route under room temperature conditions for the first time and characterized by TEM, HRTEM, EDX, 1H/13C/31P NMR, EPR, and PL spectroscopy, then annealed to form a thin film with phosphorus doping confirmed by microprobe elemental analyses.