Probing the Electronic Structure of Substituted Ferrocenes with High-Resolution XANES Spectroscopy

Experimental Validation and Computational Predictions Join Forces to Map Catalytic C-H Activation in Ferrocene Metalated Porous Organic Polymers

In recent times, a self-complementary balanced characteristic feature with the combination of both covalent bonds (structural stability) and open metal sites (single-site catalysis) introduced an advanced emerging functional nanoarchitecture termed metalated porous organic polymers (M-POPs). However, the development of M-POPs in view of the current interest in catalysis has been realized still in its infancy and remains a challenge for the years to come. In this work, we built benzothiazole-linked Fe-metalated porous organic polymer (Fc-Bz-POP) using ferrocene dicarboxaldehyde (FDC), 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl) benzene (APB), and elemental sulfur (S₈) via a template-free, multicomponent, cost-effective one-pot synthetic approach. This Fc-Bz-POP is endowed with unique features including an extended network unit, isolated active sites, and catalytic pocket with a possible local structure, in which convergent binding sites are positioned in such a way that substrate molecules can be held in close proximity. Prospective catalytic application of this Fc-Bz-POP has been explored in executing catalytic allylic "C-H" bond functionalization of cyclohexene (CHX) in water at room temperature. Catalytic screening results identified that a superior performance with a CHX conversion of 95% and a 2-cyclohexene-1-ol selectivity (COL) of 80.8% at 4 h and 25 °C temperature has been achieved over Fc-Bz-POP, thereby addressing previous shortcomings of the other conventional catalytic systems. Comprehensive characterization understanding with the aid of synchrotron-based extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis manifested that the Fe atom with an oxidation state of +2 in our Fc-Bz-POP catalytic system encompasses a sandwich structural environment with the two symmetrical eclipsed cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings, featuring nearest-neighbor (NN) Fe-C (≈2.05 Å) intramolecular bonds, as validated by the Fe L₃-edge EXAFS fitting result. Furthermore, in situ attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) analysis data for liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexene allow for the formulation of a molecular-level reaction mechanistic pathway with the involvement of specific reaction intermediates, which is initiated by the radical functionalization of the allyl hydrogen. A deep insight investigation from density functional theory (DFT) calculations unambiguously revealed that the dominant pathway from cyclohexene to 2-cyclohexene-1-ol is initiated by an allyl-H functionalization step accompanied by the formation of 2-cyclohexene-1-hydroperoxide species as the key reaction intermediate. Electronic properties obtained from DFT simulations via the charge density difference plot, Bader charge, and density of state (DOS) demonstrate the importance of the organic polymer frame structure in altering the electronic properties of the Fe site in Fc-Bz-POP, resulting in its high activity. Our contribution has great implications for the precise design of metalated porous organic polymer-based robust catalysts, which will open a new avenue to get a clear image of surface catalysis.

Intruder Peak-Free Transient Inner-Shell Spectra Using Real-Time Simulations

Real-time methods are convenient for simulating core-level absorption spectra but suffer from nonphysical intruder peaks when using atom-centered basis sets. In transient absorption spectra, these peaks exhibit highly nonphysical time-dependent modulations in their energies and oscillator strengths. In this paper, we address the origins of these intruder peaks and propose a straightforward and effective solution based on a filtered dipole operator. In combination with real-time time-dependent density functional theory (RT-TDDFT), we demonstrate how to compute intruder-free attosecond transient X-ray absorption spectra for the aminophenol (C₆H₇NO) oxygen and nitrogen K-edges and the α-quartz (SiO₂) silicon L-edge. Without filtering, the computed spectra are qualitatively wrong. This procedure is suitable for both static and transient inner-shell spectroscopy studies and can easily be implemented in a range of real-time methodologies.

Planar Iron Hydride Nanoclusters: Combined Spectroscopic and Theoretical Insights into Structures and Building Principles

The controlled assembly of well-defined planar nanoclusters from molecular precursors is synthetically challenging and often plagued by the predominant formation of 3D-structures and nanoparticles. Herein, we report planar iron hydride nanoclusters from reactions of main group element hydrides with iron(II) bis(hexamethyldisilazide). The structures and properties of isolated Fe4 , Fe6 , and Fe7 nanoplatelets and calculated intermediates enable an unprecedented insight into the underlying building principle and growth mechanism of iron clusters, metal monolayers, and nanoparticles.

Theoretical Analysis of Fe K-Edge XANES on Iron Pentacarbonyl

Iron pentacarbonyl (Fe(CO)₅) is a versatile material that is utilized as an inhibitor of flame, shows soot suppressibility, and is used as a precursor for focused electron-beam-induced deposition (FEBID). X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) of the K edge, which is a powerful technique for monitoring the oxidation states and coordination environment of metal sites, can be used to gain insight into Fe(CO)₅-related reaction mechanisms in in situ experiments. We use a finite difference method (FDM) and molecular-orbital-based time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations to clarify the Fe K-edge XANES features of Fe(CO)₅. The two pre-edge peaks P₁ and P₂ are mainly the Fe(1s) → Fe-C(σ*) and Fe(1s) → Fe-C(π*) transitions, respectively. When the geometry transformed from D _3h to C _4v symmetry, a ∼30% decrease of the pre-edge P₂ intensity was observed in the simulated spectra. This implies that the π bonding of Fe and CO is sensitive to changes in geometry. The following rising edge and white line regions are assigned to the Fe(1s) → Fe(4p)(mixing C(2p)) transitions. Our results may provide useful information to interpret XANES spectra variations of in situ reactions of metal-CO or similar compounds with π acceptor ligandlike metal-CN complexes.

Electronic Structure of the Hieber Anion [Fe(CO)3(NO)]- Revisited by X-ray Emission and Absorption Spectroscopy

While the Hieber anion [Fe(CO)₃(NO)]^- has been reincarnated in the last years as an active catalyst in organic synthesis, there is still a debate about the oxidation state of the central Fe atom and the resulting charge of the NO ligand. To shed new light on this question and to understand the Fe-NO interaction in the Hieber anion, it is investigated in comparison to the formal 3d⁸ reference Fe(CO)₅ and the formal 3d¹⁰ reference [Fe(CO)₄]^2- by the combination of valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (VtC-XES), X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES), and high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected XANES. In order to extract information about the electronic structure, time-dependent density functional theory and ground-state density functional theory calculations are applied. This combination of experimental and computational methods reveals that the electron density at the Fe center of the Hieber resembles that of the isoelectronic [Fe(CO)₄]^2-. These observations challenge recent descriptions of the Hieber anion and reopen the debate about the experimentally and computationally determined Fe oxidation state and charge on the NO ligand.

A von Hamos-type hard X-ray spectrometer at the PETRA III beamline P64

The design and performance of the high-resolution wavelength-dispersive multi-crystal von Hamos-type spectrometer at PETRA III beamline P64 are described. Extended analyzer crystal collection available at the beamline allows coverage of a broad energy range from 5 keV to 20 keV with an energy resolution of 0.35-1 eV. Particular attention was paid to enabling two-color measurements by a combination of two types of analyzer crystals and two two-dimensional detectors. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated by elastic-line and emission-line measurements on various compounds.

Additive Nano-Lithography with Focused Soft X-rays: Basics, Challenges, and Opportunities

Focused soft X-ray beam induced deposition (FXBID) is a novel technique for direct-write nanofabrication of metallic nanostructures from metal organic precursor gases. It combines the established concepts of focused electron beam induced processing (FEBIP) and X-ray lithography (XRL). The present setup is based on a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM) equipped with a gas flow cell to provide metal organic precursor molecules towards the intended deposition zone. Fundamentals of X-ray microscopy instrumentation and X-ray radiation chemistry relevant for FXBID development are presented in a comprehensive form. Recently published proof-of-concept studies on initial experiments on FXBID nanolithography are reviewed for an overview on current progress and proposed advances of nanofabrication performance. Potential applications and advantages of FXBID are discussed with respect to competing electron/ion based techniques.

The Bonding Situation in the Dinuclear Tetra-Hydrido Complex [{5CpFe}2(μ-H)4] Revisited by Hard X-Ray Spectroscopy

High energy resolution fluorescence detected XANES (HERFD-XANES) and valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (VtC-XES) are introduced as powerful tools to investigate hydride-iron interaction, the possible iron-iron bond, and iron spin state of the dinuclear tetra-hydrido complex [{⁵CpFe}₂(μ-H)₄] (1H, ⁵Cp = η⁵-C₅ iPr₅) by thoroughly accessing the geometric and electronic structure of this complex in comparison to the nonhydride reference [⁵CpCpFe] (1, Cp = C₅H₅). The so far observed most intense hydride induced signals in the pre-edge feature of the HERFD-XANES and in the VtC-XES spectra at the iron K-edge allow a precise analysis of the LUMO and HOMO states, respectively, by application of time-dependent density function theory (TD-DFT) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results of these calculations are further employed to understand the oxidation state, spin states, and potential Fe-Fe bonds in this complex.

Comparative Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Fe L2,3-Edges X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in Three Highly Popular, Low-Spin Organoiron Complexes: [Fe(CO)5], [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]2, and [(η5-C5H5)2Fe]

The occupied and unoccupied electronic structures of three highly popular, closed shell organoiron complexes ([Fe(CO)₅], [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]₂, and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Fe]) have been theoretically investigated by taking advantage of density functional theory (DFT) calculations coupled to the isolobal analogy ( Elian et al. Inorg. Chem. 1976 , 15 , 1148 ). The adopted approach allowed us to look into the relative role played by the ligand → Fe donation and the Fe → ligand back-donation in title molecules, as well as to investigate how CO- (terminal or bridging) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)]^--based π* orbitals compete when these two ligands are simultaneously present as in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(μ-CO)]₂. Insights into the nature and the strength of the bonding between Fe and the C donor atoms have been gained by exploiting the Nalewajski-Mrozek bond multiplicity index ( Nalewajski et al. Int. J. Quantum Chem. 1994 , 51 , 187 ), which have been found especially sensitive even to tiny bond distance variations. The bonding picture emerging from ground state DFT results proved fruitful to guide the assignment of original, high-resolution, gas-phase L_2,3-edges X-ray absorption spectra of the title molecules, which have been modeled by the two-component relativistic time-dependent DFT including spin orbit coupling and correlation effects and taking advantage of the full use of symmetry. Assignments alternative to those reported in the literature for both [Fe(CO)₅] and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Fe] are herein proposed. Despite the high popularity of the investigated molecules, the complementary use of symmetry, orbital, and spectroscopy allowed us to further look into the metal-ligand symmetry-restricted-covalency and the differential-orbital covalency, which characterize them.

Revisiting the Dependence of Cu K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectra on Oxidation State and Coordination Environment

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Cu K-edge is an important tool for probing the properties of copper centers in transition-metal chemistry and catalysis. However, the interpretation of experimental XAS spectra requires a detailed understanding of the dependence of spectroscopic features on the local geometric and electronic structure, which can be established by theoretical X-ray spectroscopy. Here, we present a systematic computational study of the Cu K-edge XAS spectra of selected Cu complexes based on time-dependent density-functional theory in combination with a molecular orbital analysis of the relevant transitions. For a series of Cu ammine model complexes as well as a comprehensive test set of 12 Cu(I) and 5 Cu(II) complexes, we revisit the dependence of the pre-edge region in Cu K-edge XAS spectra on oxidation state and coordination geometry. While our calculations confirm earlier experimental assignments, we can also reveal additional signatures of the ligand orbitals and identify the underlying orbital interactions. The comprehensive picture revealed by this study will provide a reliable basis for the interpretation of in situ Cu K-edge XAS spectra of catalytic intermediates.

Heteroleptic samarium(iii) halide complexes probed by fluorescence-detected L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The novel series of heteroleptic Sm(iii) halide complexes provides the backdrop for a fluorescence-detected Lα₁ X-ray absorption spectroscopic study.

The addition of various oxidants to the near-linear Sm(ii) complex [Sm(N^††)₂] (1), where N^†† is the bulky bis(triisopropylsilyl)amide ligand {N(SiⁱPr₃)₂}, afforded a family of heteroleptic three-coordinate Sm(iii) halide complexes, [Sm(N^††)₂(X)] (X = F, 2-F; Cl, 2-Cl; Br, 2-Br; I, 2-I). In addition, the trinuclear cluster [{Sm(N^††)}₃(μ₂-I)₃(μ₃-I)₂] (3), which formally contains one Sm(ii) and two Sm(iii) centres, was isolated during the synthesis of 2-I. Complexes 2-X are remarkably stable towards ligand redistribution, which is often a facile process for heteroleptic complexes of smaller monodentate ligands in lanthanide chemistry, including the related bis(trimethylsilyl)amide {N(SiMe₃)₂} (N′′). Complexes 2-X and 3 have been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR, FTIR and electronic spectroscopy. The Lα₁ fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption spectra recorded at the Sm L₃-edge for 2-X exhibited a resolved pre-edge peak defined as an envelope of quadrupole-allowed 2p → 4f transitions. The X-ray absorption spectral features were successfully reproduced using time-dependent density functional theoretical (TD-DFT) calculations that synergistically support the experimental observations as well as the theoretical model upon which the electronic structure and bonding in these lanthanide complexes is derived.

Experimental setup for the study of resonant inelastic X-ray scattering of organometallic complexes in gas phase

A new setup has been designed and built to study organometallic complexes in gas phase at the third-generation Synchrotron radiation sources. This setup consists of a new homemade computer-controlled gas cell that allows us to sublimate solid samples by accurately controlling the temperature. This cell has been developed to be a part of the high-resolution X-ray emission spectrometer permanently installed at the GALAXIES beamline of the French National Synchrotron Facility SOLEIL. To illustrate the capabilities of the setup, the cell has been successfully used to record high-resolution Kα emission spectra of gas-phase ferrocene Fe(C₅H₅)₂ and to characterize their dependence with the excitation energy. This will allow to extend resonant X-ray emission to different organometallic molecules.

Calculating X-ray Absorption Spectra of Open-Shell Molecules with the Unrestricted Algebraic-Diagrammatic Construction Scheme for the Polarization Propagator

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a powerful tool that provides information about the electronic structure of molecules via excitation of electrons from the K-shell core region to the unoccupied molecular levels. These high-lying electronic core-excited states can be accurately calculated using the algebraic-diagrammatic construction scheme of second order ADC(2) by applying the core-valence separation (CVS) approximation to the ADC(2) working equations. For the first time, an efficient implementation of an unrestricted CVS-ADC(2) variant CVS-UADC(2) is presented for the calculation of open-shell molecules by treating α and β spins separately from each other. The potential of the CVS-UADC(2) method is demonstrated with a set of small organic radicals by comparison with standard TD-DFT/B3LYP values and experimental data. It turns out that the extended variant CVS-UADC(2)-x, in particular, provides the most accurate results with errors of only 0.1% compared to experimental values. This remarkable agreement justifies the prediction of yet nonrecorded experimental XAS spectra like the one of the anthracene cation. The cation exhibits additional peaks due to the half-filled single-occupied molecular orbital, which may help to distinguish cation from the neutral species.

Ca K-edge XAS as a probe of calcium centers in complex systems

Herein, Ca K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is developed as a means to characterize the local environment of calcium centers. The spectra for six, seven, and eight coordinate inorganic and molecular calcium complexes were analyzed and determined to be primarily influenced by the coordination environment and site symmetry at the calcium center. The experimental results are closely correlated to time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations of the XAS spectra. The applicability of this methodology to complex systems was investigated using structural mimics of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of PSII. It was found that Ca K-edge XAS is a sensitive probe for structural changes occurring in the cubane heterometallic cluster due to Mn oxidation. Future applications to the OEC are discussed.

The d-electrons of Fe in ferrocene: the excess orbital energy spectrum (EOES)

The EOES (Δε_i=εE-Fci −εS-Fci) shows that the orbitals with significantly excess energies are Fe d-electron dominant.

High-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy of iron carbonyl complexes

We apply high-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected (HERFD) X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to study iron carbonyl complexes.

HERFD-XAS and valence-to-core-XES: new tools to push the limits in research with hard X-rays?

In this perspective, the HERFD-XANES (high energy resolution fluorescence detected X-ray absorption near edge structure) and Kβ2,5- or V2C-XES (valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy) methods are discussed as new and powerful tools for chemical research with hard X-rays. This includes a brief survey of the underlying physical processes and the introduction of experimental issues. The potential of both methods to overcome limitations of conventional XAS (X-ray absorption spectroscopy) and to push the limits for obtaining new information about the electronic and geometric structures of metal centers, in the solid state structure or heterogeneous catalysts, but also in metal complexes and homogeneous catalysts, is discussed by presenting a survey of representative references and recent own studies, rounded off by a conclusion and outlook.

Sensitivity of X-ray core spectroscopy to changes in metal ligation: a systematic study of low-coordinate, high-spin ferrous complexes

In order to assess the sensitivity and complementarity of X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies for determining changes in the metal ligation sphere, a systematic experimental and theoretical study of iron model complexes has been carried out. A series of high-spin ferrous complexes, in which the ligation sphere has been varied from a three-coordinate complex, [L(tBu)Fe(SPh)] (1) (where L(tBu) = bulky β-diketiminate ligand; SPh = phenyl thiolate) to four-coordinate complexes [L(tBu)Fe(SPh)(X)] (where X = CN(t)Bu (2); 1-methylimidazole (3); or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) (4)), has been investigated using a combination of Fe K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) and Kβ X-ray emission (XES) spectroscopies. The Fe K XAS pre-edge and edge of all four complexes are consistent with a high-spin ferrous assignment, with the largest differences in the pre-edge intensities attributed to changes in covalency of the fourth coordination site. The X-ray emission spectra show pronounced changes in the valence to core region (V2C) as the identity of the coordinated ligand is varied. The experimental results have been correlated to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, to understand key molecular orbital contributions to the observed absorption and emission features. The calculations also have been extended to a series of hypothetical high-spin iron complexes to understand the sensitivity of XAS and XES techniques to different ligand protonation states ([L(tBu)Fe(II)(SPh)(NHn)](3-n) (n = 3, 2, 1, 0)), metal oxidation states [L(tBu)Fe(SPh)(N)](n-) (n = 3, 2, 1), and changes in the ligand identity [L(tBu)Fe(IV)(SPh)(X)](n-) (X = C(4-), N(3-), O(2-); n = 2, 1, 0). This study demonstrates that XAS pre-edge data have greater sensitivity to changes in oxidation state, while valence to core (V2C) XES data provide a more sensitive probe of ligand identity and protonation state. The combination of multiple X-ray spectroscopic methods with DFT results thus has the potential to provide for detailed characterization of complex inorganic systems in both chemical and biological catalysis.

Origin-independent calculation of quadrupole intensities in X-ray spectroscopy

For electronic excitations in the ultraviolet and visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, the intensities are usually calculated within the dipole approximation, which assumes that the oscillating electric field is constant over the length scale of the transition. For the short wavelengths used in hard X-ray spectroscopy, the dipole approximation may not be adequate. In particular, for metal K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), it becomes necessary to include higher-order contributions. In quantum-chemical approaches to X-ray spectroscopy, these so-called quadrupole intensities have so far been calculated by including contributions depending on the square of the electric-quadrupole and magnetic-dipole transition moments. However, the resulting quadrupole intensities depend on the choice of the origin of the coordinate system. Here, we show that for obtaining an origin-independent theory, one has to include all contributions that are of the same order in the wave vector consistently. This leads to two additional contributions depending on products of the electric-dipole and electric-octupole and of the electric-dipole and magnetic-quadrupole transition moments, respectively. We have implemented such an origin-independent calculation of quadrupole intensities in XAS within time-dependent density-functional theory, and demonstrate its usefulness for the calculation of metal and ligand K-edge XAS spectra of transition metal complexes.

The chemical sensitivity of X-ray spectroscopy: high energy resolution XANES versus X-ray emission spectroscopy of substituted ferrocenes

X-ray spectroscopy at the metal K-edge is an important tool for understanding catalytic processes and provides insight into the geometric and electronic structures of transition metal complexes. In particular, X-ray emission-based methods such as high-energy resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD), X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopy (V2C-XES) hold the promise of providing increased chemical sensitivity compared to conventional X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Here, we explore the ability of HERFD-XANES and V2C-XES spectroscopy to distinguish substitutions beyond the directly coordinated atoms for the example of ferrocene and selected ferrocene derivatives. The experimental spectra are assigned and interpreted through the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We find that while the pre-edge peaks in the HERFD-XANES spectra are affected by substituents at the cyclopentadienyl ring containing π-bonds [A. J. Atkins, Ch. R. Jacob and M. Bauer, Chem.-Eur. J., 2012, 18, 7021], the V2C-XES spectra are virtually unchanged. The pre-edge in HERFD-XANES probes the weak transition to unoccupied metal d-orbitals, while the V2C-XES spectra are determined by dipole-allowed transitions from occupied ligand orbitals to the 1s core hole. The latter turn out to be less sensitive to changes beyond the first coordination shell.