On the electronic structures of gaseous transition metal halide complexes, FeX4− and MX3− (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, X=Cl, Br), using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations

Design of a Novel Series of Hetero-Binuclear Superhalogen Anions MM′X4− (M = Li, Na; M′ = Be, Mg, Ca; X = Cl, Br)

A series of hetero-binuclear superatom motifs involving chloride/bromide ligands, that is, MM′X₄⁻ (M = Li, Na; M′ = Be, Mg, Ca; X = Cl, Br) anions, have been characterized by using many-body perturbation theory calculations. Large vertical electron detachment energies (VDEs, 5.470–6.799 eV) confirm the superhalogen identity of these anions. A larger VDE value can be obtained by introducing small M or large M′ central atoms and small halogen ligand atoms. Thus, one isomer of LiCaCl₄⁻ possesses the largest VDE value. Besides, when the extra electron is shared by all ligand atoms or three bridging ligand atoms, the isomers have relatively larger VDE values.

Superhalogens Among 3d-Metal Compounds: MF4, MF6, MF12, and MF18 (M = Sc-Zn)

The ground states of the neutral and anionic tetrafluoride and hexafluoride series of 3d-metal atoms from Sc to Zn were assigned by using a double-check approach in which the pure and hybrid density functional methods were interchangeably used. It was confirmed that all these neutral fluorides are superhalogens except for TiF₄. The electron affinities of the hexafluorides were shown to be consistently higher than those of the tetrafluorides in accordance with the superhalogen conception of the extra electron delocalization over a larger number of the electronegative ligands. In the search for mononuclear fluorides possessing higher electron affinities, we considered the M(F₂)₆^- and M(F₃)₆^- series where M = Sc-Zn. We found that the optimized geometrical structures in both series may be described as MF₆^-- k(F₂), k = 3 and 6, of which the geometry of the MF₆^- core mimics that of the corresponding hexafluoride anion and the F₂ dimers are kept in a bound state by polarizing forces. In these cases, the electron affinity is decreased by tenths of eV with respect to the electron affinity of the core hexafluorides due to a confinement of the extra electron by the F₂ environment.

Photoelectron spectroscopic and computational studies of [EDTA·M(iii)]− complexes (M = H3, Al, Sc, V–Co)

Photoelectron spectroscopic and computational studies of [EDTA·M(iii)]⁻ complexes reveal their redox chemistry and specific metal bindings.

Iron-based magnetic superhalogens with pseudohalogens as ligands: An unbiased structure search

We have performed an unbiased structure search for a series of neutral and anionic FeL₄ (L = BO₂, CN, NO₂, NO₃, OH, CH₃, NH₂, BH₄ and Li₂H₃) clusters using the CALYPSO (Crystal structure Analysis by Particle Swarm Optimization) structure search method. To probe the superhalogen properties of neutral and anionic FeL₄ clusters, we used density-functional theory with the B3LYP functional to examine three factors, including distribution of extra electron, pattern of bonding and the nature of the ligands. Theoretical results show that Fe(BO₂)₄, Fe(NO₃)₄ and Fe(NO₂)₄ can be classified as magnetic superhalogen due to that their electron affinities even exceed those of the constituent ligands. The magnetic moment of Fe atom is almost entirly maintained when it is decorated with various ligands except for neutral and anionic (Li₂H₃)₄. Moreover, the current work is also extended to the salt moieties formed by hyperhalogen/superhalogen anion and Na⁺ ion. It is found that these salts against dissociation into Na + FeL₄ are thermodynamic stable except for Na[Fe(OH)₄]. These results provides a wealth of electronic structure information about FeL₄ magnetic superhalogens and offer insights into the synthesis mechanisms.

Superhalogen properties of BS2(-) and BSO(-): photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

We investigate BS2(-) and BSO(-) clusters using photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The electron affinities of BS2 and BSO are measured to be 3.80 ± 0.03 and 3.88 ± 0.03 eV, respectively, higher than those of halogen atoms. Thus, BS2 and BSO can be considered as superhalogens. The comparison of experimental and theoretical results confirmed that the ground state structures of BS2(-), BSO(-), and their neutrals are all linear. Analyses of natural bond orbitals suggest that both BS2(-) and BSO(-) have dual 3c-4e π hyperbonds.

Assessment of Quantum Mechanical Methods for Copper and Iron Complexes by Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Broken-symmetry density functional theory (BS-DFT) calculations are assessed for redox energetics [Cu(SCH₃)₂]^1–/0, [Cu(NCS)₂]^1–/0, [FeCl₄]^1–/0, and [Fe(SCH₃)₄]^1–/0 against vertical detachment energies (VDE) from valence photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), as a prelude to studies of metalloprotein analogs. The M06 and B3LYP hybrid functionals give VDE that agree with the PES VDE for the Fe complexes, but both underestimate it by ∼400 meV for the Cu complexes; other hybrid functionals give VDEs that are an increasing function of the amount of Hartree–Fock (HF) exchange and so cannot show good agreement for both Cu and Fe complexes. Range-separated (RS) functionals appear to give a better distribution of HF exchange since the negative HOMO energy is approximately equal to the VDEs but also give VDEs dependent on the amount of HF exchange, sometimes leading to ground states with incorrect electron configurations; the LRC-ωPBEh functional reduced to 10% HF exchange at short-range give somewhat better values for both, although still ∼150 meV too low for the Cu complexes and ∼50 meV too high for the Fe complexes. Overall, the results indicate that while HF exchange compensates for self-interaction error in DFT calculations of both Cu and Fe complexes, too much may lead to more sensitivity to nondynamical correlation in the spin-polarized Fe complexes.

Identification of hyperhalogens in Agn(BO2)m (n = 1–3, m = 1–2) clusters: anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations

We identified hyperhalogens in Ag_n(BO₂)_m (n = 1–3, m = 1–2) clusters by using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations.

Probing ligand effects on the redox energies of [4Fe-4S] clusters using broken-symmetry density functional theory

A central issue in understanding redox properties of iron-sulfur proteins is determining the factors that tune the reduction potentials of the Fe-S clusters. Recently, Solomon and coworkers have shown that the Fe-S bond covalency of protein analogs measured by %L, the percent ligand character of the Fe 3d orbitals, from ligand K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) correlates with the electrochemical redox potentials. Also, Wang and coworkers have measured electron detachment energies for iron-sulfur clusters without environmental perturbations by gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Here the correlations of the ligand character with redox energy and %L character are examined in [Fe(4)S(4)L(4)](2-) clusters with different ligands by broken symmetry density functional theory (BS-DFT) calculations using the B3LYP functional together with PES and XAS experimental results. These gas-phase studies assess ligand effects independently of environmental perturbations and thus provide essential information for computational studies of iron-sulfur proteins. The B3LYP oxidation energies agree well with PES data, and the %L character obtained from natural bond orbital analysis correlates with XAS values, although it systematically underestimates them because of basis set effects. The results show that stronger electron-donating terminal ligands increase %L(t), the percent ligand character from terminal ligands, but decrease %S(b), the percent ligand character from the bridging sulfurs. Because the oxidized orbital has significant Fe-L(t) antibonding character, the oxidation energy correlates well with %L(t). However, because the reduced orbital has varying contributions of both Fe-L(t) and Fe-S(b) antibonding character, the reduction energy does not correlate with either %L(t) or %S(b). Overall, BS-DFT calculations together with XAS and PES experiments can unravel the complex underlying factors in the redox energy and chemical bonding of the [4Fe-4S] clusters in iron-sulfur proteins.

Optimization of Spin-Unrestricted Density Functional Theory for Redox Properties of Rubredoxin Redox Site Analogues

Quantum chemical calculations of metal clusters in proteins for redox studies require both computational feasibility as well as accuracies of at least ∼50 mV for redox energies but only ∼0.05 Å for bond lengths. Thus, optimization of spin-unrestricted density functional theory (DFT) methods, especially the hybrid generalized gradient approximation functionals, for energies while maintaining good geometries is essential. Here, different DFT functionals with effective core potential (ECP) and full core basis sets for [Fe(SCH(3))(4)](2-/1-) and [Fe(SCH(3))(3)](1-/0), which are analogs of the iron-sulfur protein rubredoxin, are investigated in comparison to experiment as well as other more computationally intensive electron correlation methods. In particular, redox energies are calibrated against gas-phase photoelectron spectroscopy data so no approximations for the environment are needed. B3LYP gives the best balance of accuracy in energy and geometry compared B97gga1 and BHandH and is better for energies than Møller-Plesset perturbation theory series (MP2, MP3, MP4SDQ) and comparable to coupled cluster [CCSD, CCSD(T)] methods. Of the full core basis sets tested, the 6-31G** basis sets give good geometries, and addition of diffuse functions to only the sulfur significantly improves the energies. Moreover, a basis set with an ECP on only the iron gives a less accurate but still reasonable geometries and energies.

Photoelectron Spectroscopy of the Bis(dithiolene) Anions [M(mnt)2]n- (M = Fe − Zn; n = 1, 2): Changes in Electronic Structure with Variation of Metal Center and with Oxidation

A detailed understanding of the electronic structures of transition metal bis(dithiolene) centers is important in the context of their interesting redox, magnetic, and optical properties. The electronic structures of the series [M(mnt)2]n- (M = Fe - Zn; mnt = 1,2-S2C2(CN)2; n = 1, 2) were examined by a combination of photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, providing insights into changes in electronic structure with variation of the metal center and with oxidation. Significant changes were observed for the dianions [M(mnt)2]2- due to stabilization of the metal 3d levels from Fe to Zn and the transition from square-planar to tetrahedral coordination about the metal center (Fe-Ni, D(2h) --> Cu D2 --> Zn, D(2d). Changes with oxidation from [M(mnt)2]2- to [M(mnt)2]1- were largely dependent on the nature of the redox-active orbital in the couple [M(mnt)2](2-/1-). In particular, the first detachment feature for [Fe(mnt)2]2- originated from a metal-based orbital (Fe(II) --> Fe(III)) while that for [Fe(mnt)2]1- originated from a ligand-based orbital, a consequence of stabilization of Fe 3d levels in the latter. In contrast, the first detachment feature for both of [Ni(mnt)2]2- and [Ni(mnt)2]1- originated from the same ligand-based orbital in both cases, a result of occupied Ni 3d levels being stabilized relative those of Fe 3d and occurring below the highest energy occupied ligand-based orbital for both of [Ni(mnt)2]2- and [Ni(mnt)2]1- . The combined data illustrate the subtle interplay between metal- and ligand-based redox chemistry in these species and demonstrate changes in their electronic structures with variation of metal center, oxidation, and coordination geometry.

Can the semiempirical PM3 scheme describe iron-containing bioinorganic molecules?

A set of iron parameters for use in the semiempirical PM3 method have been developed to allow the structure and redox properties of the active sites of iron-containing proteins to be accurately modeled, focussing on iron-sulfur, iron-heme, and iron-only hydrogenases. Data computed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level for a training set of 60 representative complexes have been employed. A gradient-based optimization algorithm has been used, and important modifications of the core repulsion function have been highlighted. The derived parameters lead in general to good predictions of the structure and energetics of molecules both within and outside the training set, and overcome the extensive deficiencies of a B3LYP/STO-3G model. Particularly encouraging is the success of the parameters in describing [4Fe-4S] cubanes. The derived parameter set provides a starting point should greater accuracy for a more restricted range of compounds be required.

Structure and Redox Properties of the Protein, Rubredoxin, and Its Ligand and Metal Mutants Studied by Electronic Structure Calculation

The changes in the structural and electronic properties accompanying metal ionization of the iron-containing protein, rubredoxin, and of some ligand and metal mutants, have been explored using density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the metal atom coordinated to the four immediate residues. Both isolated and embedded cluster studies have been carried out, the latter using the hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach. The replacement of a cysteine by a serine residue has a considerable effect on both the electronic and geometric structure of the core, which can be qualitatively understood on the basis of the isolated cluster studies. The modulation of these properties caused by the protein environment is quite accurately described by the QM/MM calculations. The predicted core geometries are in good accord with both X-ray and EXAFS data, and the changes in the redox potentials are predicted, at least semiquantitatively, by considering only the core part of the protein.

Probing the Electronic Structure of [2Fe-2S] Clusters with Three Coordinate Iron Sites by Use of Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Five series of [2Fe-2S] complexes, [Fe(2)S(2)Cl(2)(-)(x)(CN)(x)](-), [Fe(2)S(2)(SEt)(2)(-)(x)Cl(x)](-), [Fe(2)S(2)(SEt)(2)(-)(x)(CN)(x)](-), [Fe(2)S(2)Cl(2)(-)(x)(OAc)(x)](-) (OAc = acetate), and [Fe(2)S(2)(SEt)(2)(-)(x)(OPr)(x)](-) (OPr = propionate) (x = 0-2), were produced by collision-induced dissociation of the corresponding [4Fe-4S] complexes, and their electronic structures were studied by photoelectron spectroscopy. All the [2Fe-2S] complexes contain a [Fe(2)S(2)](+) core similar to that in reduced [2Fe] ferredoxins but with different coordination geometries. For the first three series, which only involve tricoordinated Fe sites, a linear relationship between the measured binding energies and the substitution number (x) was observed, revealing the independent ligand contributions to the total electron binding energies. The effect of the ligand increases in the order SEt --> Cl --> CN, conforming to their electron-withdrawing ability in the same order. The carboxylate ligands in the [Fe(2)S(2)Cl(2)(-)(x)(OAc)(x)](-) and [Fe(2)S(2)(SEt)(2)(-)(x)(OPr)(x)](-) complexes were observed to act as bidentate ligands, giving rise to tetracoordinated iron sites. This is different from their monodentate coordination behavior in the [4Fe-4S] cubane complexes, reflecting the high reactivity of the unsatisfied three-coordinate iron site in the [2Fe-2S] complexes. The [2Fe-2S] complexes with tetracoordinated iron sites exhibit lower electron binding energies, that is, higher reductive activity than the all tricoordinate planar clusters. The electronic structures of all the [2Fe-2S] complexes were shown to conform to the "inverted energy level scheme".

Electronic Structure and Intrinsic Redox Properties of [2Fe−2S]+ Clusters with Tri- and Tetracoordinate Iron Sites

Using potentially bidentate ligands (-SC2H4NH2), we produced [2Fe-2S]+ species of different coordination geometries by fission of [4Fe-4S]2+ complexes. Even though the ligands are monodentate in the cubane complexes, both mono- and bidentate complexes were observed in the [2Fe] fission products through self-assembly because of the high reactivity of the tricoordinate iron sites. The electronic structure of the [2Fe] species was probed using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations. It was found that tetracoordination significantly decreases the electron binding energies of the [2Fe] complexes, thus increasing the reducing capability of the [2Fe-2S]+ clusters.

Electron scattering on centrosymmetric molecular dianions Pt(CN)4(2-) and Pt(CN)6(2-)

Electron scattering on stored Pt(CN)2-4 and Pt(CN)2-6 centrosymmetric molecular dianions has been performed at the electrostatic storage ring ELISA. The thresholds for production of neutral particles by electron bombardment were found to be 17.2 and 18.7 eV, respectively. The relatively high thresholds reflect the strong Coulomb repulsion in the incoming channel as well as a high energetic stability of the target electrons. A trianion resonance was identified with a positive energy of 17.0 eV for the Pt(CN)2-4 square-planar complex, while three trianion resonances were identified for the Pt(CN)2-6 octahedral complex with positive energies of 15.3, 18.1, and 20.1 eV.

Sequential oxidation of the cubane [4Fe--4S] cluster from [4Fe--4S](-) to [4Fe--4S](3+) in Fe(4)S(4)L(n)(-) complexes

Gaseous Fe(4)S(n)(-) (n = 4-6) clusters and synthetic analogue complexes, Fe(4)S(4)L(n)(-) (L = Cl, Br, I; n = 1-4), were produced by laser vaporization of a solid Fe/S target and electrospray from solution samples, respectively, and their electronic structures were probed by photoelectron spectroscopy. Low binding energy features derived from minority-spin Fe 3d electrons were clearly distinguished from S-derived bands. We showed that the electronic structure of the simplest Fe(4)S(4)(-) cubane cluster can be described by the two-layer spin-coupling model previously developed for the [4Fe] cubane analogues. The photoelectron data revealed that each extra S atom in Fe(4)S(5)(-) and Fe(4)S(6)(-) removes two minority-spin Fe 3d electrons from the [4Fe--4S] cubane core and each halogen ligand removes one Fe 3d electron from the cubane core in the Fe(4)S(4)L(n)(-) complexes, clearly revealing a behavior of sequential oxidation of the cubane over five formal oxidation states: [4Fe--4S](-) --> [4Fe--4S](0) --> [4Fe--4S](+) --> [4Fe-4S](2+) --> [4Fe-4S](3+). The current work shows the electron-storage capability of the [4Fe--4S] cubane, contributes to the understanding of its electronic structure, and further demonstrates the robustness of the cubane as a structural unit and electron-transfer center.