Dynamics of an [Fe4S4(SPh)4]2- cluster explored via IR, Raman, and nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS)-analysis using 36S substitution, DFT calculations, and empirical force fields

Structural insight into halide-coordinated [Fe4S4XnY4-n]2- clusters (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Iron sulphur halide clusters [Fe₄S₄Br₄]^2- and [Fe₄S₄X₂Y₂]^2- (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) were obtained in excellent yields (77 to 78%) and purity from [Fe(CO)₅], elemental sulphur, I₂ and benzyltrimethylammonium (BTMA⁺) iodide, bromide and chloride. Single crystals of (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Br₄] (1), (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Br₂Cl₂] (2), (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Cl₂I₂] (3), and (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Br₂I₂] (4) were isostructural to the previously reported (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄I₄] (5) (monoclinic, Cc). Instead of the chloride cubane cluster [Fe₄S₄Cl₄]^2-, we found the prismane-shaped cluster (BTMA)₃[Fe₆S₆Cl₆] (6) (P1̄). ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy indicates complete delocalisation with Fe^2.5+ oxidation states for all iron atoms. Magnetic measurements showed small χ_MT values at 298 K ranging from 1.12 to 1.54 cm³ K mol^-1, indicating the dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. With decreasing temperature, the χ_MT values decreased to reach a plateau at around 100 K. From about 20 K, the values drop significantly. Fitting the data in the Heisenberg-Dirac-van Vleck (HDvV) as well as the Heisenberg Double Exchange (HDE) formalism confirmed the delocalisation and antiferromagnetic coupling assumed from Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Europium-151 and iron-57 nuclear resonant vibrational spectroscopy of naturally abundant KEu(III)Fe(II)(CN)6 and Eu(III)Fe(III)(CN)6 complexes

We have performed and analyzed the first combined 151Eu and 57Fe nuclear resonant vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) for naturally abundant KEu(III)[Fe(II)(CN)6] and Eu(III)[Fe(III)(CN)6] complexes. Comparison of the observed 151Eu vs.57Fe NRVS spectroscopic features confirms that Eu(III) in both KEu(III)[Fe(II)(CN)6] and Eu(III)[Fe(III)(CN)6] occupies a position outside the [Fe(CN)6] core and coordinates to the N atoms of the CN- ions, whereas Fe(III) or Fe(II) occupies the site inside the [Fe(CN)6]4- core and coordinates to the C atoms of the CN- ions. In addition to the spectroscopic interest, the results from this study provide invaluable insights for the design and evaluation of the nanoparticles of such complexes as potential cellular contrast agents for their use in magnetic resonance imaging. The combined 151Eu and 57Fe NRVS measurements are also among the first few explorations of bi-isotopic NRVS experiments.

Insights from 125Te and 57Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy: a [4Fe-4Te] cluster from two points of view

Can sulfur-to-tellurium exchange serve as a method to understand iron–sulfur clusters of enzymatic systems?

Iron–sulfur clusters are common building blocks for electron transport and active sites of metalloproteins. Their comprehensive investigation is crucial for understanding these enzymes, which play important roles in modern biomimetic catalysis and biotechnology applications. We address this issue by utilizing (Et₄N)₃[Fe₄Te₄(SPh)₄], a tellurium modified version of a conventional reduced [4Fe–4S]⁺ cluster, and performed both ⁵⁷Fe- and ¹²⁵Te-NRVS to reveal its characteristic vibrational features. Our analysis exposed major differences in the resulting ⁵⁷Fe spectrum profile as compared to that of the respective [4Fe–4S] cluster, and between the ⁵⁷Fe and ¹²⁵Te profiles. DFT calculations are applied to rationalize structural, electronic, vibrational, and redox-dependent properties of the [4Fe–4Te]⁺ core. We herein highlight the potential of sulfur/tellurium exchange as a method to isolate the iron-only motion in enzymatic systems.

Differential Protonation at the Catalytic Six-Iron Cofactor of [FeFe]-Hydrogenases Revealed by 57Fe Nuclear Resonance X-ray Scattering and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Analyses

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are efficient biological hydrogen conversion catalysts and blueprints for technological fuel production. The relations between substrate interactions and electron/proton transfer events at their unique six-iron cofactor (H-cluster) need to be elucidated. The H-cluster comprises a four-iron cluster, [4Fe4S], linked to a diiron complex, [FeFe]. We combined ⁵⁷Fe-specific X-ray nuclear resonance scattering experiments (NFS, nuclear forward scattering; NRVS, nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy) with quantum-mechanics/molecular-mechanics computations to study the [FeFe]-hydrogenase HYDA1 from a green alga. Selective ⁵⁷Fe labeling at only [4Fe4S] or [FeFe], or at both subcomplexes was achieved by protein expression with a ⁵⁷Fe salt and in vitro maturation with a synthetic diiron site precursor containing ⁵⁷Fe. H-cluster states were populated under infrared spectroscopy control. NRVS spectral analyses facilitated assignment of the vibrational modes of the cofactor species. This approach revealed the H-cluster structure of the oxidized state (Hox) with a bridging carbon monoxide at [FeFe] and ligand rearrangement in the CO-inhibited state (Hox-CO). Protonation at a cysteine ligand of [4Fe4S] in the oxidized state occurring at low pH (HoxH) was indicated, in contrast to bridging hydride binding at [FeFe] in a one-electron reduced state (Hred). These findings are direct evidence for differential protonation either at the four-iron or diiron subcomplex of the H-cluster. NFS time-traces provided Mössbauer parameters such as the quadrupole splitting energy, which differ among cofactor states, thereby supporting selective protonation at either subcomplex. In combination with data for reduced states showing similar [4Fe4S] protonation as HoxH without (Hred') or with (Hhyd) a terminal hydride at [FeFe], our results imply that coordination geometry dynamics at the diiron site and proton-coupled electron transfer to either the four-iron or the diiron subcomplex discriminate catalytic and regulatory functions of [FeFe]-hydrogenases. We support a reaction cycle avoiding diiron site geometry changes during rapid H₂ turnover.

Characterization of the [3Fe-4S](0/1+) cluster from the D14C variant of Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin via combined NRVS and DFT analyses

The D14C variant of Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin provides an extraordinary framework to investigate a [3Fe-4S] cluster at two oxidation levels and compare the results to its physiologic [4Fe-4S] counterpart in the very same protein. Our spectroscopic and computational study reveals vibrational property changes related to the electronic and structural aspects of both Fe-S clusters.

Halide coordinated homoleptic [Fe4S4X4](2-) and heteroleptic [Fe4S4X2Y2](2-) clusters (X, Y = Cl, Br, I)--alternative preparations, structural analogies and spectroscopic properties in solution and solid state

New facile methods to prepare iron sulphur halide clusters [Fe4S4X4](2-) from [Fe(CO)5] and elemental sulphur were elaborated. Reactions of ferrous precursors like tetrahalidoferrates(ii) or simple ferrous halides with [Fe(CO)5] and sulphur turned out to be efficient methods to prepare homoleptic [Fe4S4X4](2-) (X = Cl, Br) and heteroleptic clusters [Fe4S4X4-nYn](2-) (X = Cl, Br; Y = Br, I). Solid materials were obtained as salts of BTMA(+) (= benzyltrimethylammonium); the new compounds containing [Fe4S4Br4](2-) and [Fe4S4X2Y2](2-) (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) were all isostructural to (BTMA)2[Fe4S4I4] (monoclinic, Cc) as inferred from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. While the solid materials contain defined heteroleptic clusters with a halide X : Y ratio of 2 : 2, dissolving these compounds leads to rapid scrambling of the halide ligands forming mixtures of all five possible [Fe4S4X4-nYn](2-) clusters as could be shown by UHR-ESI MS. The variation of X and Y allowed assignment of the absorption bands in the visible and NIR; the long-wavelength bands around 1100 nm were tentatively assigned to intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) transitions.

Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Pathogenic Bacteria: Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopy Provides Insight into the Unusual [4Fe-4S] Cluster of the E. coli LytB/IspH Protein

The LytB/IspH protein catalyzes the last step of the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway which is used for the biosynthesis of essential terpenoids in most pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the MEP pathway is a target for the development of new antimicrobial agents as it is essential for microorganisms, yet absent in humans. Substrate-free LytB has a special [4Fe-4S](2+) cluster with a yet unsolved structure. This motivated us to use synchrotron-based nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) in combination with quantum chemical-molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations to gain more insight into the structure of substrate-free LytB. The apical iron atom of the [4Fe-4S](2+) is clearly linked to three water molecules. We additionally present NRVS data of LytB bound to its natural substrate, (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl diphosphate (HMBPP) and to the inhibitors (E)-4-amino-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl diphosphate and (E)-4-mercapto-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl diphosphate.

Quantitative vibrational dynamics of the metal site in a tin porphyrin: an IR, NRVS, and DFT study

We used a newer, synchrotron-based, spectroscopic technique (nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy, NRVS) in combination with a more traditional one (infrared absorption, IR) to obtain a complete, quantitative picture of the metal center vibrational dynamics in a six-coordinated tin porphyrin. From the NRVS (119)Sn site-selectivity and the sensitivity of the IR signal to (112)Sn/(119)Sn isotope substitution, we identified the frequency of the antisymmetric stretching of the axial bonds (290 cm(-1)) and all the other vibrations involving Sn. Experimentally authenticated density functional theory (DFT) calculations aid the data interpretation by providing detailed normal mode descriptions for each observed vibration. These results may represent a starting point toward the characterization of the local vibrational dynamics of the metallic site in tin porphyrins and compounds with related structures. The quantitative complementariness between IR, NRVS, and DFT is emphasized.

Characterization of [4Fe-4S] cluster vibrations and structure in nitrogenase Fe protein at three oxidation levels via combined NRVS, EXAFS, and DFT analyses

Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase Fe protein (Av2) provides a rare opportunity to investigate a [4Fe-4S] cluster at three oxidation levels in the same protein environment. Here, we report the structural and vibrational changes of this cluster upon reduction using a combination of NRVS and EXAFS spectroscopies and DFT calculations. Key to this work is the synergy between these three techniques as each generates highly complementary information and their analytical methodologies are interdependent. Importantly, the spectroscopic samples contained no glassing agents. NRVS and DFT reveal a systematic 10-30 cm(-1) decrease in Fe-S stretching frequencies with each added electron. The "oxidized" [4Fe-4S](2+) state spectrum is consistent with and extends previous resonance Raman spectra. For the "reduced" [4Fe-4S](1+) state in Fe protein, and for any "all-ferrous" [4Fe-4S](0) cluster, these NRVS spectra are the first available vibrational data. NRVS simulations also allow estimation of the vibrational disorder for Fe-S and Fe-Fe distances, constraining the EXAFS analysis and allowing structural disorder to be estimated. For oxidized Av2, EXAFS and DFT indicate nearly equal Fe-Fe distances, while addition of one electron decreases the cluster symmetry. However, addition of the second electron to form the all-ferrous state induces significant structural change. EXAFS data recorded to k = 21 Å(-1) indicates a 1:1 ratio of Fe-Fe interactions at 2.56 Å and 2.75 Å, a result consistent with DFT. Broken symmetry (BS) DFT rationalizes the interplay between redox state and the Fe-S and Fe-Fe distances as predominantly spin-dependent behavior inherent to the [4Fe-4S] cluster and perturbed by the Av2 protein environment.

Observation of the Fe-CN and Fe-CO vibrations in the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase by nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy

Nuclear inelastic scattering of (57)Fe labeled [NiFe] hydrogenase is shown to give information on different states of the enzyme. It was thus possible to detect and assign Fe-CO and Fe-CN bending and stretching vibrations of the active site outside the spectral range of the Fe-S cluster normal modes.

Nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) of rubredoxin and MoFe protein crystals

We have applied ⁵⁷Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) for the first time to study the dynamics of Fe centers in Fe-S protein crystals, including oxidized wild type rubredoxin crystals from Pyrococcus furiosus, and the MoFe protein of nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii. Thanks to the NRVS selection rule, selectively probed vibrational modes have been observed in both oriented rubredoxin and MoFe protein crystals. The NRVS work was complemented by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS) measurements on oxidized wild type rubredoxin crystals from Pyrococcus furiosus. The EXAFS spectra revealed the Fe-S bond length difference in oxidized Pf Rd protein, which is qualitatively consistent with the X-ray crystal structure.

EXAFS and NRVS reveal a conformational distortion of the FeMo-cofactor in the MoFe nitrogenase propargyl alcohol complex

We have used EXAFS and NRVS spectroscopies to examine the structural changes in the FeMo-cofactor active site of the α-70(Ala) variant of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase on binding and reduction of propargyl alcohol (PA). The Mo K-edge near-edge and EXAFS spectra are very similar in the presence and absence of PA, suggesting PA does not bind at Mo. By contrast, Fe EXAFS spectra show a clear and reproducible change in the long Fe-Fe interaction at ~3.7 Å on PA binding with the apparent appearance of a new Fe-Fe interaction at 3.99 Å. An analogous change in the long Mo-Fe 5.1 Å interaction is not seen. The NRVS spectra exclude the possibility of large-scale structural change of the FeMo-cofactor involving breaking the μ(2) Fe-S-Fe bonds of the Fe(6)S(9)X core. The simplest chemically consistent structural change is that the bound form of PA is coordinated at Fe atoms (Fe6 or Fe7) adjacent to the Mo terminus, with a concomitant movement of the Fe away from the central atom X and along the Fe-X bond by about 0.35 Å. This study comprises the first experimental evidence of the conformational changes of the FeMo-cofactor active site on binding a substrate or product.

Dynamics of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in Pyrococcus furiosus D14C ferredoxin via nuclear resonance vibrational and resonance Raman spectroscopies, force field simulations, and density functional theory calculations

We have used (57)Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) to study oxidized and reduced forms of the [4Fe-4S] cluster in the D14C variant ferredoxin from Pyrococcus furiosus (Pf D14C Fd). To assist the normal-mode assignments, we conducted NRVS with D14C ferredoxin samples with (36)S substituted into the [4Fe-4S] cluster bridging sulfide positions, and a model compound without ligand side chains, (Ph(4)P)(2)[Fe(4)S(4)Cl(4)]. Several distinct regions of NRVS intensity are identified, ranging from "protein" and torsional modes below 100 cm(-1), through bending and breathing modes near 150 cm(-1), to strong bands from Fe-S stretching modes between 250 and ∼400 cm(-1). The oxidized ferredoxin samples were also investigated by resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. We found good agreement between NRVS and RR frequencies, but because of different selection rules, the intensities vary dramatically between the two types of spectra. The (57)Fe partial vibrational densities of states for the oxidized samples were interpreted by normal-mode analysis with optimization of Urey-Bradley force fields for local models of the [4Fe-4S] clusters. Full protein model calculations were also conducted using a supplemented CHARMM force field, and these calculations revealed low-frequency modes that may be relevant to electron transfer with Pf Fd partners. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations complemented these empirical analyses, and DFT was used to estimate the reorganization energy associated with the [Fe(4)S(4)](2+/+) redox cycle. Overall, the NRVS technique demonstrates great promise for the observation and quantitative interpretation of the dynamical properties of Fe-S proteins.

Fe-H/D stretching and bending modes in nuclear resonant vibrational, Raman and infrared spectroscopies: comparisons of density functional theory and experiment

Infrared, Raman, and nuclear resonant vibrational (NRVS) spectroscopies have been used to address the Fe-H bonding in trans-HFe(CO) iron hydride compound, HFe(CO)(dppe)2, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane. H and D isotopomers of the compound, with selective substitution at the metal-coordinated hydrogen, have been considered in order to address the Fe-H/D stretching and bending modes. Experimental results are compared to the normal mode analysis by density functional theory (DFT). The results are that (i) the IR spectrum does not clearly show Fe-H stretching or bending modes; (ii) Fe-H stretching modes are clear but weak in the Raman spectrum, and Fe-H bending modes are weak; (iii) NRVS 57Fe spectroscopy resolves Fe-H bending clearly, but Fe-H or Fe-D stretching is above its experimentally resolved frequency range. DFT calculations (with no scaling of frequencies) show intensities and peak locations that allow unambiguous correlations between observed and calculated features, with frequency errors generally less than 15 cm(-1). Prospects for using these techniques to unravel vibrational modes of protein active sites are discussed.

Identification of protein-bound dinitrosyl iron complexes by nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy

We have applied (57)Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) to identify protein-bound dinitrosyl iron complexes. Intense NRVS peaks due to vibrations of the N-Fe-N unit can be observed between 500 and 700 cm(-1) and are diagnostic indicators of the type of iron dinitrosyl species present. NRVS spectra for four iron dinitrosyl model compounds are presented and used as benchmarks for the identification of species formed in the reaction of Pyrococcus furiosus ferredoxin D14C with nitric oxide.

Observation of terahertz vibrations in the nitrogenase FeMo cofactor by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy

We have used Impulsive Coherent Vibrational Spectroscopy (ICVS) to study the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii as the extracted small molecule ‘FeMoco’. In the ICVS experiment, a 15 fs visible laser pulse pumps the sample to an excited electronic state, and a second <10 fs pulse probes the change in transmission as a function of the time delay. FeMoco was observed to relax to the ground state by a single exponential decay with a time constant of ~200 fs. Superimposed on this relaxation are oscillations caused by the coherent excitation of vibrational modes in both excited and ground electronic states. Fourier transformation reveals the FeMoco vibrational frequencies that are coherently excited by the short laser pulse.

The frequencies obtained by the ICVS technique were compared with values from normal mode calculations. The strongest ICVS bands are at 215 and 420 cm−1. The 420 cm−1 band is attributed to Fe-S stretching motion, whereas the 215 cm−1 band, which is the strongest feature in the spectrum, is attributed to a breathing mode of FeMoco. Over the years, nitrogenase and FeMoco have resisted characterization by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The current results demonstrate the promise of ICVS as an alternative probe of FeMoco dynamics.

Characterization of the Fe site in iron-sulfur cluster-free hydrogenase (Hmd) and of a model compound via nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS)

We have used (57)Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) to study the iron site in the iron-sulfur cluster-free hydrogenase Hmd from the methanogenic archaeon Methanothermobacter marburgensis. The spectra have been interpreted by comparison with a cis-(CO)2-ligated Fe model compound, Fe(S2C2H4)(CO)2(PMe3)2, as well as by normal mode simulations of plausible active site structures. For this model complex, normal mode analyses both from an optimized Urey-Bradley force field and from complementary density functional theory (DFT) calculations produced consistent results. For Hmd, previous IR spectroscopic studies found strong CO stretching modes at 1944 and 2011 cm(-1), interpreted as evidence for cis-Fe(CO)2 ligation. The NRVS data provide further insight into the dynamics of the Fe site, revealing Fe-CO stretch and Fe-CO bend modes at 494, 562, 590, and 648 cm(-1), consistent with the proposed cis-Fe(CO)2 ligation. The NRVS also reveals a band assigned to Fe-S stretching motion at approximately 311 cm(-1) and another reproducible feature at approximately 380 cm(-1). The (57)Fe partial vibrational densities of states (PVDOS) for Hmd can be reasonably well simulated by a normal mode analysis based on a Urey-Bradley force field for a five-coordinate cis-(CO)2-ligated Fe site with additional cysteine, water, and pyridone cofactor ligands. A "truncated" model without a water ligand can also be used to match the NRVS data. A final interpretation of the Hmd NRVS data, including DFT analysis, awaits a three-dimensional structure for the active site.

Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy reveal that NifB-co, a FeMo-co precursor, comprises a 6Fe core with an interstitial light atom

NifB-co, an Fe-S cluster produced by the enzyme NifB, is an intermediate on the biosynthetic pathway to the iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase. We have used Fe K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy together with (57)Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) to probe the structure of NifB-co while bound to the NifX protein from Azotobacter vinelandii. The spectra have been interpreted in part by comparison with data for the completed FeMo-co attached to the NafY carrier protein: the NafY:FeMo-co complex. EXAFS analysis of the NifX:NifB-co complex yields an average Fe-S distance of 2.26 A and average Fe-Fe distances of 2.66 and 3.74 A. Search profile analyses reveal the presence of a single Fe-X (X = C, N, or O) interaction at 2.04 A, compared to a 2.00 A Fe-X interaction found in the NafY:FeMo-co EXAFS. This suggests that the interstitial light atom (X) proposed to be present in FeMo-co has already inserted at the NifB-co stage of biosynthesis. The NRVS exhibits strong bands from Fe-S stretching modes peaking around 270, 315, 385, and 408 cm(-1). Additional intensity at approximately 185-200 cm(-1) is interpreted as a set of cluster "breathing" modes similar to those seen for the FeMo-cofactor. The strength and location of these modes also suggest that the FeMo-co interstitial light atom seen in the crystal structure is already in place in NifB-co. Both the EXAFS and NRVS data for NifX:NifB-co are best simulated using a Fe 6S 9X trigonal prism structure analogous to the 6Fe core of FeMo-co, although a 7Fe structure made by capping one trigonal 3S terminus with Fe cannot be ruled out. The results are consistent with the conclusion that the interstitial light atom is already present at an early stage in FeMo-co biosynthesis prior to the incorporation of Mo and R-homocitrate.