Ultrafast Jahn-Teller Photoswitching in Cobalt Single-Ion Magnets

Single-ion magnets (SIMs) constitute the ultimate size limit in the quest for miniaturizing magnetic materials. Several bottlenecks currently hindering breakthroughs in quantum information and communication technologies could be alleviated by new generations of SIMs displaying multifunctionality. Here, ultrafast optical absorption spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy are employed to track the photoinduced spin-state switching of the prototypical complex [Co(terpy)2 ]2+ (terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) in solution phase. The combined measurements and their analysis supported by density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent-DFT (TD-DFT) and multireference quantum chemistry calculations reveal that the complex undergoes a spin-state transition from a tetragonally elongated doublet state to a tetragonally compressed quartet state on the femtosecond timescale, i.e., it sustains ultrafast Jahn-Teller (JT) photoswitching between two different spin multiplicities. Adding new Co-based complexes as possible contenders in the search for JT photoswitching SIMs will greatly widen the possibilities for implementing magnetic multifunctionality and eventually controlling ultrafast magnetization with optical photons.

Ultrafast Energy Transfer from Photoexcited Tryptophan to the Haem in Cytochrome c

We report femtosecond Fe K-edge absorption (XAS) and nonresonant X-ray emission (XES) spectra of ferric cytochrome C (Cyt c) upon excitation of the haem (>300 nm) or mixed excitation of the haem and tryptophan (<300 nm). The XAS and XES transients obtained in both excitation energy ranges show no evidence for electron transfer processes between photoexcited tryptophan (Trp) and the haem, but rather an ultrafast energy transfer, in agreement with previous ultrafast optical fluorescence and transient absorption studies. The reported (J. Phys. Chem. B 2011, 115 (46), 13723-13730) decay times of Trp fluorescence in ferrous (∼350 fs) and ferric (∼700 fs) Cyt c are among the shortest ever reported for Trp in a protein. The observed time scales cannot be rationalized in terms of Förster or Dexter energy transfer mechanisms and call for a more thorough theoretical investigation.

Atomic-scale observation of solvent reorganization influencing photoinduced structural dynamics in a copper complex photosensitizer

Photochemical reactions in solution are governed by a complex interplay between transient intramolecular electronic and nuclear structural changes and accompanying solvent rearrangements. State-of-the-art time-resolved X-ray solution scattering has emerged in the last decade as a powerful technique to observe solute and solvent motions in real time. However, disentangling solute and solvent dynamics and how they mutually influence each other remains challenging. Here, we simultaneously measure femtosecond X-ray emission and scattering to track both the intramolecular and solvation structural dynamics following photoexcitation of a solvated copper photosensitizer. Quantitative analysis assisted by molecular dynamics simulations reveals a two-step ligand flattening strongly coupled to the solvent reorganization, which conventional optical methods could not discern. First, a ballistic flattening triggers coherent motions of surrounding acetonitrile molecules. In turn, the approach of acetonitrile molecules to the copper atom mediates the decay of intramolecular coherent vibrations and induces a further ligand flattening. These direct structural insights reveal that photoinduced solute and solvent motions can be intimately intertwined, explaining how the key initial steps of light harvesting are affected by the solvent on the atomic time and length scale. Ultimately, this work takes a step forward in understanding the microscopic mechanisms of the bidirectional influence between transient solvent reorganization and photoinduced solute structural dynamics.

3D printed devices and infrastructure for liquid sample delivery at the European XFEL

The Sample Environment and Characterization (SEC) group of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL) develops sample delivery systems for the various scientific instruments, including systems for the injection of liquid samples that enable serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) and single-particle imaging (SPI) experiments, among others. For rapid prototyping of various device types and materials, sub-micrometre precision 3D printers are used to address the specific experimental conditions of SFX and SPI by providing a large number of devices with reliable performance. This work presents the current pool of 3D printed liquid sample delivery devices, based on the two-photon polymerization (2PP) technique. These devices encompass gas dynamic virtual nozzles (GDVNs), mixing-GDVNs, high-viscosity extruders (HVEs) and electrospray conical capillary tips (CCTs) with highly reproducible geometric features that are suitable for time-resolved SFX and SPI experiments at XFEL facilities. Liquid sample injection setups and infrastructure on the Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules and Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument are described, this being the instrument which is designated for biological structure determination at the EuXFEL.

Femtosecond X-ray spectroscopy of haem proteins

We discuss our recently reported femtosecond (fs) X-ray emission spectroscopy results on the ligand dissociation and recombination in nitrosylmyoglobin (MbNO) in the context of previous studies on ferrous haem proteins. We also present a preliminary account of femtosecond X-ray absorption studies on MbNO, pointing to the presence of more than one species formed upon photolysis.

Spin cascade and doming in ferric hemes: Femtosecond X-ray absorption and X-ray emission studies

The structure-function relationship is at the heart of biology, and major protein deformations are correlated to specific functions. For ferrous heme proteins, doming is associated with the respiratory function in hemoglobin and myoglobins. Cytochrome c (Cyt c) has evolved to become an important electron-transfer protein in humans. In its ferrous form, it undergoes ligand release and doming upon photoexcitation, but its ferric form does not release the distal ligand, while the return to the ground state has been attributed to thermal relaxation. Here, by combining femtosecond Fe Kα and Kβ X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) with Fe K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), we demonstrate that the photocycle of ferric Cyt c is entirely due to a cascade among excited spin states of the iron ion, causing the ferric heme to undergo doming, which we identify. We also argue that this pattern is common to a wide diversity of ferric heme proteins, raising the question of the biological relevance of doming in such proteins.

Evaluation of cobalt complexes with tripod ligands for zinc finger targeting

We report the ability of Co^II and Co^III complexes of tri(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and N,N-di(2-pyridylmethyl)glycinate to disrupt zinc fingers.

Tracking multiple components of a nuclear wavepacket in photoexcited Cu(I)-phenanthroline complex using ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy

Disentangling the strong interplay between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom is essential to achieve a full understanding of excited state processes during ultrafast nonadiabatic chemical reactions. However, the complexity of multi-dimensional potential energy surfaces means that this remains challenging. The energy flow during vibrational and electronic relaxation processes can be explored with structural sensitivity by probing a nuclear wavepacket using femtosecond time-resolved X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (TR-XANES). However, it remains unknown to what level of detail vibrational motions are observable in this X-ray technique. Herein we track the wavepacket dynamics of a prototypical [Cu(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)₂]⁺ complex using TR-XANES. We demonstrate that sensitivity to individual wavepacket components can be modulated by the probe energy and that the bond length change associated with molecular breathing mode can be tracked with a sub-Angstrom resolution beyond optical-domain observables. Importantly, our results reveal how state-of-the-art TR-XANES provides deeper insights of ultrafast nonadiabatic chemical reactions.

Comparative electronic structures of nitrogenase FeMoco and FeVco

An investigation of the active site cofactors of the molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases (FeMoco and FeVco) was performed using high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. Synthetic heterometallic iron-sulfur cluster models and density functional theory calculations complement the study of the MoFe and VFe holoproteins using both non-resonant and resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy. Spectroscopic data show the presence of direct iron-heterometal bonds, which are found to be weaker in FeVco. Furthermore, the interstitial carbide is found to perturb the electronic structures of the cofactors through highly covalent Fe-C bonding. The implications of these conclusions are discussed in light of the differential reactivity of the molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases towards various substrates. Possible functional roles for both the heterometal and the interstitial carbide are detailed.

XDS: a flexible beamline for X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy at the Brazilian synchrotron

The majority of the beamlines at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source Laboratory (LNLS) use radiation produced in the storage-ring bending magnets and are therefore currently limited in the flux that can be used in the harder part of the X-ray spectrum (above ∼10 keV). A 4 T superconducting multipolar wiggler (SCW) was recently installed at LNLS in order to improve the photon flux above 10 keV and fulfill the demands set by the materials science community. A new multi-purpose beamline was then installed at the LNLS using the SCW as a photon source. The XDS is a flexible beamline operating in the energy range between 5 and 30 keV, designed to perform experiments using absorption, diffraction and scattering techniques. Most of the work performed at the XDS beamline concentrates on X-ray absorption spectroscopy at energies above 18 keV and high-resolution diffraction experiments. More recently, new setups and photon-hungry experiments such as total X-ray scattering, X-ray diffraction under high pressures, resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy, among others, have started to become routine at XDS. Here, the XDS beamline characteristics, performance and a few new experimental possibilities are described.

Experimental and theoretical correlations between vanadium K-edge X-ray absorption and Kβ emission spectra

A series of vanadium compounds was studied by K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) and K[Formula: see text] X-ray emission spectroscopies (XES). Qualitative trends within the datasets, as well as comparisons between the XAS and XES data, illustrate the information content of both methods. The complementary nature of the chemical insight highlights the success of this dual-technique approach in characterizing both the structural and electronic properties of vanadium sites. In particular, and in contrast to XAS or extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), we demonstrate that valence-to-core XES is capable of differentiating between ligating atoms with the same identity but different bonding character. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations enable a more detailed, quantitative interpretation of the data. We also establish correction factors for the computational protocols through calibration to experiment. These hard X-ray methods can probe vanadium ions in any oxidation or spin state, and can readily be applied to sample environments ranging from solid-phase catalysts to biological samples in frozen solution. Thus, the combined XAS and XES approach, coupled with DFT calculations, provides a robust tool for the study of vanadium atoms in bioinorganic chemistry.

X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopic Studies of [L2Fe2S2](n) Model Complexes: Implications for the Experimental Evaluation of Redox States in Iron-Sulfur Clusters

Herein, a systematic study of [L2Fe2S2](n) model complexes (where L = bis(benzimidazolato) and n = 2-, 3-, 4-) has been carried out using iron and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption (XAS) and iron Kβ and valence-to-core X-ray emission spectroscopies (XES). These data are used as a test set to evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of X-ray core level spectroscopies in assessing redox changes in iron-sulfur clusters. The results are correlated to density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the spectra in order to further support the quantitative information that can be extracted from the experimental data. It is demonstrated that due to canceling effects of covalency and spin state, the information that can be extracted from Fe Kβ XES mainlines is limited. However, a careful analysis of the Fe K-edge XAS data shows that localized valence vs delocalized valence species may be differentiated on the basis of the pre-edge and K-edge energies. These findings are then applied to existing literature Fe K-edge XAS data on the iron protein, P-cluster, and FeMoco sites of nitrogenase. The ability to assess the extent of delocalization in the iron protein vs the P-cluster is highlighted. In addition, possible charge states for FeMoco on the basis of Fe K-edge XAS data are discussed. This study provides an important reference for future X-ray spectroscopic studies of iron-sulfur clusters.

Molybdenum L-Edge XAS Spectra of MoFe Nitrogenase

A molybdenum L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study is presented for native and oxidized MoFe protein of nitrogenase as well as Mo-Fe model compounds. Recently collected data on MoFe protein (in oxidized and reduced forms) is compared to previously published Mo XAS data on the isolated FeMo cofactor in NMF solution and put in context of the recent Mo K-edge XAS study, which showed a Mo^III assignment for the molybdenum atom in FeMoco. The L₃-edge data are interpreted within a simple ligand-field model, from which a time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach is proposed as a way to provide further insights into the analysis of the molybdenum L₃-edges. The calculated results reproduce well the relative spectral trends that are observed experimentally. Ultimately, these results give further support for the Mo^III assignment in protein-bound FeMoco, as well as isolated FeMoco.

Probing the electronic and geometric structure of ferric and ferrous myoglobins in physiological solutions by Fe K-edge absorption spectroscopy

We present an iron K-edge X-ray absorption study of carboxymyoglobin (MbCO), nitrosylmyoglobin (MbNO), oxymyoglobin (MbO2), cyanomyoglobin (MbCN), aquomet myoglobin (metMb) and unligated myoglobin (deoxyMb) in physiological media. The analysis of the XANES region is performed using the full-multiple scattering formalism, implemented within the MXAN package. This reveals trends within the heme structure, absent from previous crystallographic and X-ray absorption analysis. In particular, the iron-nitrogen bond lengths in the porphyrin ring converge to a common value of about 2 Å, except for deoxyMb whose bigger value is due to the doming of the heme. The trends of the Fe-Nε (His93) bond length is found to be consistent with the effect of ligand binding to the iron, with the exception of MbNO, which is explained in terms of the repulsive trans effect. We derive a high resolution description of the relative geometry of the ligands with respect to the heme and quantify the magnitude of the heme doming in the deoxyMb form. Finally, time-dependent density functional theory is used to simulate the pre-edge spectra and is found to be in good agreement with the experiment. The XAS spectra typically exhibit one pre-edge feature which arises from transitions into the unoccupied dσ and dπ - πligand* orbitals. 1s → dπ transitions contribute weakly for MbO2, metMb and deoxyMb. However, despite this strong Fe d contribution these transitions are found to be dominated by the dipole (1s → 4p) moment due to the low symmetry of the heme environment.

High-resolution molybdenum K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy analyzed with time-dependent density functional theory

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a widely used experimental technique capable of selectively probing the local structure around an absorbing atomic species in molecules and materials. When applied to heavy elements, however, the quantitative interpretation can be challenging due to the intrinsic spectral broadening arising from the decrease in the core-hole lifetime. In this work we have used high-energy resolution fluorescence detected XAS (HERFD-XAS) to investigate a series of molybdenum complexes. The sharper spectral features obtained by HERFD-XAS measurements enable a clear assignment of the features present in the pre-edge region. Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) has been previously shown to predict K-pre-edge XAS spectra of first row transition metal compounds with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Here we extend this approach to molybdenum K-edge HERFD-XAS and present the necessary calibration. Modern pure and hybrid functionals are utilized and relativistic effects are accounted for using either the Zeroth Order Regular Approximation (ZORA) or the second order Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH2) scalar relativistic approximations. We have found that both the predicted energies and intensities are in excellent agreement with experiment, independent of the functional used. The model chosen to account for relativistic effects also has little impact on the calculated spectra. This study provides an important calibration set for future applications of molybdenum HERFD-XAS to complex catalytic systems.

Photooxidation and photoaquation of iron hexacyanide in aqueous solution: A picosecond X-ray absorption study

We present a picosecond Fe K-edge absorption study of photoexcited ferrous and ferric hexacyanide in water under 355 and 266 nm excitation. Following 355 nm excitation, the transient spectra for the ferrous and ferric complexes exhibit a red shift of the edge reflecting an increased electron density at the Fe atom. For the former, an enhanced pre-edge transition is also observed. These observations are attributed to the aquated [Fe(CN)5OH2](3-) species, based on quantum chemical calculations which also provide structural parameters. Upon 266 nm excitation of the ferric complex, a transient reminiscent of the aquated species is observed (appearance of a pre-edge feature and red shift of the edge) but it is different from that obtained under 355 nm excitation. This points to a new reaction channel occurring through an intermediate state lying between these two excitation energies. Finally, 266 nm excitation of the ferrous species is dominated by the photooxidation channel with formation of the ferric complex as main photoproduct. However, we observe an additional minor photoproduct, which is identical to the 266 nm generated photoproduct of the ferric species, suggesting that under our experimental conditions, the pump pulse photooxidises the ferrous complex and re-excites the primary ferric photoproduct.

Identification of a spin-coupled Mo(iii) in the nitrogenase iron–molybdenum cofactor

The molybdenum atom in FeMoco is imperative to the high activity of the enzyme and has been proposed to be Mo(iv). We demonstrate that only Mo(iii) fits Mo HERFD XAS data, the first example of Mo(iii) in biology. Theoretical calculations further reveal an unusual spin-coupled Mo(iii).

Solvent-induced luminescence quenching: static and time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy of a copper(I) phenanthroline complex

We present a static and picosecond X-ray absorption study at the Cu K-edge of bis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I) ([Cu(dmp)2](+); dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) dissolved in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. The steady-state photoluminescence spectra in dichloromethane and acetonitrile are also presented and show a shift to longer wavelengths for the latter, which points to a stronger stabilization of the excited complex. The fine structure features of the static and transient X-ray spectra allow an unambiguous assignment of the electronic and geometric structure of the molecule in both its ground and excited (3)MLCT states. Importantly, the transient spectra are remarkably similar for both solvents, and the spectral changes can be rationalized using the optimized ground- and excited-state structures of the complex. The proposed assignment of the lifetime shortening of the excited state in donor solvents (acetonitrile) to a metal-centered exciplex is not corroborated here. Molecular dynamics simulations confirm the lack of complexation; however, in both solvents the molecules come close to the metal but undergo rapid exchange with the bulk. The shortening of the lifetime of the title complex and nine additional related complexes can be rationalized by the decrease in the (3)MLCT energy. Deviations from this trend may be explained by means of the effects of the dihedral angle between the ligand planes, the solvent, and the (3)MLCT-(1)MLCT energy gap.

Ultrafast X-ray absorption studies of the structural dynamics of molecular and biological systems in solution

We review our recent studies of excited state structures and dynamics of chemical and biological systems with pico- and femtosecond X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the liquid phase.

A high-repetition rate scheme for synchrotron-based picosecond laser pump/x-ray probe experiments on chemical and biological systems in solution

We present the extension of time-resolved optical pump/x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) probe experiments towards data collection at MHz repetition rates. The use of a high-power picosecond laser operating at an integer fraction of the repetition rate of the storage ring allows exploitation of up to two orders of magnitude more x-ray photons than in previous schemes based on the use of kHz lasers. Consequently, we demonstrate an order of magnitude increase in the signal-to-noise of time-resolved XAS of molecular systems in solution. This makes it possible to investigate highly dilute samples at concentrations approaching physiological conditions for biological systems. The simplicity and compactness of the scheme allows for straightforward implementation at any synchrotron beamline and for a wide range of x-ray probe techniques, such as time-resolved diffraction or x-ray emission studies.