Consistent characterization of the electronic ground state of iron(II) phthalocyanine from valence and core-shell electron spectroscopy.

We studied the iron(II) phthalocyanine molecule in the gas-phase. It is a complex transition organometallic compound, for which, the characterization of its electronic ground state is still debated more than 50 years after the first published study. Here, we show that to determine its electronic ground state, one needs a large corpus of data sets and a consistent theoretical methodology to simulate them. By simulating valence and core-shell electron spectra, we determined that the ground state is a 3Eg and that the ligand-to-metal charge transfer has a large influence on the spectra.

Water binding to FeIII hemes studied in a cooled ion trap: characterization of a strong 'weak' ligand.

The interaction of a water molecule with ferric heme-iron protoporphyrin ([PP FeIII]+) has been investigated in the gas phase in an ion trap and studied theoretically by density functional theory. It is found that the interaction of water with ferric heme leads to a stable [PP-FeIII-H2O]+ complex in the intermediate spin state (S = 3/2), in the same state as its unligated [PP-FeIII]+ homologue, without spin crossing during water attachment. Using the Van't Hoff equation, the reaction enthalpy for the formation of a Fe-OH2 bond has been determined for [PP-FeIII-H2O]+ and [PP-FeIII-(H2O)2]+. The corrected binding energy for a single Fe-H2O bond is -12.2 ± 0.6 kcal mol-1, while DFT calculations at the OPBE level yield -11.7 kcal mol-1. The binding energy of the second ligation yielding a six coordinated FeIII atom is decreased with a bond energy of -9 ± 0.9 kcal mol-1, well reproduced by calculations as -7.1 kcal mol-1. However, calculations reveal features of a weaker bond type, such as a rather long Fe-O bond with 2.28 Å for the [PP-FeIII-H2O]+ complex and the absence of a spin change by complexation. Thus despite a strong bond with H2O, the FeIII atom does not show, through theoretical modelling, a strong acceptor character in its half filled 3dz2 orbital. It is also observed that the binding properties of H2O to hemes seem strikingly specific to ferric heme and we have shown, experimentally and theoretically, that the affinity of H2O for protonated heme [H PP-Fe]+, an intermediate between FeIII and FeII, is strongly reduced compared to that for ferric heme.

The dramatic effect of N-methylimidazole on trans axial ligand binding to ferric heme: experiment and theory.

The binding energy of CO, O2 and NO to isolated ferric heme, [FeIIIP]+, was studied in the presence and absence of a σ donor (N-methylimidazole and histidine) as the trans axial ligand. This study combines the experimental determination of binding enthalpies by equilibrium measurements in a low temperature ion trap using the van't Hoff equation and high level DFT calculations. It was found that the presence of N-methylimidazole as the axial ligand on the [FeIIIP]+ porphyrin dramatically weakens the [FeIIIP-ligand]+ bond with an up to sevenfold decrease in binding energy owing to the σ donation by N-methylimidazole to the FeIII(3d) orbitals. This trans σ donor effect is characteristic of ligation to iron in hemes in both ferrous and ferric redox forms; however, to date, this has not been observed for ferric heme.

The surprisingly high ligation energy of CO to ruthenium porphyrins.

A combined theoretical and experimental approach has been used to investigate the binding energy of a ruthenium metalloporphyrin ligated with CO, ruthenium tetraphenylporphyrin [RuII TPP], in the RuII oxidation degree. Measurements performed with VUV ionization using the DESIRS beamline at Synchrotron SOLEIL led to adiabatic ionization energies of [RuII TPP] and its complex with CO, [RuII TPP-CO], of 6.48 ± 0.03 eV and 6.60 ± 0.03 eV, respectively, while the ion dissociation threshold of [RuII TPP-CO]+ is measured to be 8.36 ± 0.03 eV using the ground-state neutral complex. These experimental data are used to derive the binding energies of the CO ligand in neutral and cationic complexes (1.88 ± 0.06 eV and 1.76 ± 0.06 eV, respectively) using a Born-Haber cycle. Density functional theory calculations, in very satisfactory agreement with the experimental results, help to get insights into the metal-ligand bond. Notably, the high ligation energies can be rationalized in terms of the ruthenium orbital structure, which is singular compared to that of the iron atom. Thus, beyond indications of a strengthening of the Ru-CO bond due to the decrease in the CO vibrational frequency in the complex as compared to the Fe-CO bond, high-level calculations are essential to accurately describe the metal ligand (CO) bond and show that the Ru-CO bond energy is strongly affected by the splitting of triplet and singlet spin states in uncomplexed [Ru TPP].

Dioxygen Binding to Protonated Heme in the Gas Phase, an Intermediate Between Ferric and Ferrous Heme.

With a view to characterizing the influence of the electronic structure of the Fe atom on the nature of its bond with dioxygen (O2 ) in heme compounds, a study of the UV/Vis action spectra and binding energies of heme-O2 molecules has been undertaken in the gas phase. The binding reaction of protonated ferrous heme [FeII -hemeH]+ with O2 has been studied in the gas phase by determining the equilibrium of complexed [FeII -hemeH(O2 )]+ with uncomplexed protonated heme in an ion trap at controlled temperatures. The binding energy of O2 to the Fe atom of protonated ferrous heme was obtained from a van't Hoff plot. Surprisingly, this energy (1540±170 cm-1 , 18.4±2 kJ mol-1 ) is intermediate between those of ferric heme and ferrous heme. This result is interpreted in terms of a delocalization of the positive charge over the porphyrin cycle, such that the Fe atom bears a fractional positive charge. The resulting electron distribution on the Fe atom differs notably from that of a purely low-spin ferrous heme [FeII -heme(O2 )] complex, as deduced from its absorption spectrum. It also differs from that of ferric heme [FeIII -heme(O2 )]+ , as evidenced by the absorption spectra. Protonated heme creates a specific bond that cannot accommodate strong σ donation.

Structure of cobalt protoporphyrin chloride and its dimer, observation and DFT modeling.

In this article we present a joint study by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy and density functional theory of cobalt protoporphyrin dimer complexes. The main novelty of the experimental part is to reveal the formation of porphyrin dimers that eventually include a chlorine atom. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to shed light on the structural and electronic properties of monomers and dimers that may be formed experimentally. Various geometries of the monomers are analyzed in the two lowest spin states. The electronic structures are examined by means of population analysis relying on the iterative Hirshfeld scheme and the topological analyses of the electron localization function. It is shown that the cobalt ligand bond is purely ionic in the triplet states but shows a noticeable covalent character in the singlet state. Ionization potential of Co-protoporphyrin and binding energies of the chlorine ligand are also reported. Concerning the dimers, several association patterns are investigated for the chlorinated and non-chlorinated complexes. It is found that the structures of the most stable complexes involve four hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid moieties of the protoporphyrins. However other association modes are likely to be possible in the experiments.

Stimulated emission in cryogenic samples doped with free-base tetraazaporphine.

Thin cryogenic samples of inert gas solids doped with free-base tetraazaporphine (H2TAP) were irradiated with a tunable pulsed laser. Under resonant electronic excitation of the guest, specific vibronic transitions of the fluorescence spectra were found to be strongly enhanced with only a moderate increase of the laser power. This enhancement is due to stimulated emission (SE). The characteristics of SE bands are described in the three hosts (Ar, N2, and Ne) explored, as well as their excitation spectra. SE is observed in transitions involving different vibrational modes of the guest, depending on the host and the electronic excitation. The results are discussed in comparison with previous works on other tetrapyrrolic molecules trapped in inert gas matrices. From this comparison the key features required to observe SE are deduced to be: (1) SE can be obtained with various tetrapyrrolic molecules; (2) free-base molecules are preferable to their metallo-counterparts; (3) the results highlight a specific molecular vibrational mode involved in the process; and (4) cryogenic crystal structures are also of importance in the detection of SE.

Bonding of heme Fe(III) with dioxygen: observation and characterization of an incipient bond.

While ferrous heme (Fe(II)) within hemoproteins binds dioxygen efficiently, it has not yet been possible to observe the analog complex with ferric heme (Fe(III)). We present the first observation and characterization of the latter complex in a cooled ion trap. The bond formation enthalpy of ferric heme-O2 has been derived from the Van't Hoff equation by means of temperature dependent measurements. The binding energy of the [heme Fe(III)-O2](+) ionic complex is rather strong as compared to that of [heme Fe(III)-N2](+), showing the formation of an incipient Fe-O bond, which is confirmed by the electronic absorption spectra of the two complexes. This first observation of the [heme Fe(III)-O2](+) complex lays the basis for the precise description of its electronic states.

Observation in the gas phase of the ligation of 1-methylimidazole to hemoprotein mimics.

Hemoprotein mimics, cobalt picket fence porphyrins have been prepared in the gas phase as neutral molecules for the first time. Their ligation properties have been studied with 1-methylimidazole and compared with those of other cobalt porphyrins, tetraphenyl porphyrin, and cobalt protoporphyrin IX chloride, in view of studying the sterical properties of the ligation. It is shown that the cobalt picket fence porphyrin can only accept one 1-methylimidazole ligand in contrast to less sterically crowded porphyrins like cobalt tetraphenylporphyrin that present two accessible ligation sites. The femtosecond dynamics of these ligated systems have been studied after excitation at 400 nm, in comparison with the unligated ones. The observed transients are formed in much shorter times, 30 fs for the ligated species, as compared to free species (100 fs), supporting the porphyrin to metal charge transfer nature of these transients. The similar decays of the ligated transients <1 ps reveal the absence of photodissociation of the cobalt-1-methylimidazole bond at this step of evolution.

Free base tetraazaporphine isolated in inert gas hosts: matrix influence on its spectroscopic and photochemical properties.

The absorption, fluorescence, and excitation spectra of free base tetraazaporphine (H2TAP) trapped in Ne, N2, and Ar matrices have been recorded at cryogenic temperatures. Normal Raman spectra of H2TAP were recorded in KBr discs and predicted with density functional theory (DFT) using large basis sets calculations. The vibrational frequencies observed in the Raman Spectrum exhibit reasonable agreement with those deduced from the emission spectra, as well as with frequencies predicted from large basis set DFT computations. The upper state vibrational frequencies, obtained from highly resolved, site selected excitation spectra, are consistently lower than the ground state frequencies. This contrasts with the situation in free base phthalocyanine, where the upper state shows little changes in vibrational frequencies and geometry when compared with the ground state. Investigations of the photochemical properties of H2TAP isolated in the three matrices have been performed using the method of persistent spectral hole-burning (PSHB). This technique has been used to reveal sites corresponding to distinct N-H tautomers which were not evident in the absorption spectra. An analysis of the holes and antiholes produced with PSHB in the Qx (0-0) absorption band made it possible to identify inter-conversion of distinct host sites.

An efficient indirect mechanism for the ultrafast intersystem crossing in copper porphyrins.

The ultrafast dynamics of copper tetraphenylporphyrin (CuTPP), copper octaethylporphyrin (CuOEP), and of the free base tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP), excited in the S2 state have been investigated in the gas phase by femtosecond pump/probe experiments. The porphyrins were excited in the Soret band at 400 nm. Strikingly, the S2-S1 internal conversion in H2TPP is very rapid (110 fs), as compared to that of ZnTPP (600 fs), previously observed. In turn, CuTPP and CuOEP, excited in S2, follow an efficient and different relaxation pathway from that of other open-shell metalloporphyrins. These two molecules exhibit a sequential four-step decay ending on a slow evolution in the nanosecond range (2)S2 → (2)CT → (2)T → (2)Ground State. This latter evolution is linked to the formation of the (2)T, tripdoublet state in CuTPP, observed in the condensed phase. It is shown that an intermediate charge transfer state plays a crucial role in linking the porphyrin centered (1)ππ* and (3)ππ* configurations. A simple model is presented that allows a rapid evolution between these two configurations, via coupling of the porphyrin π system with the free d electron on the copper. The mechanism obviates the need for the spin orbit coupling within the porphyrin. The result is that these copper porphyrins can exhibit an ultrafast apparent intersystem crossing, unprecedented for organic molecules.

Visible luminescence spectroscopy of free-base and zinc phthalocyanines isolated in cryogenic matrices.

The absorption, emission and excitation spectra of ZnPc and H(2)Pc trapped in Ne, N(2), Ar, Kr and Xe matrices have been recorded in the region of the Q states. A comparison of the matrix fluorescence spectra with Raman spectra recorded in KBr pellets reveals very strong similarities. This is entirely consistent with the selection rules and points to the occurrence of only fundamental vibrational transitions in the emission spectra. Based on this behaviour, the vibronic modes in emission have been assigned using results obtained recently on the ground state with large basis-set DFT calculations [Murray et al. PCCP, 12, 10406 (2010)]. Furthermore, the very strong mirror symmetry between excitation and emission has allowed these assignments to be extended to the excitation (absorption) bands. While this approach works well for ZnPc, coupling between the band origin of the S(2)(Q(Y)) state and vibrationally excited levels of S(1)(Q(X)), limits the range of its application in H(2)Pc. The Q(X)/Q(Y) state coupling is analysed from data obtained from site-selective excitation spectra, revealing pronounced matrix and site effects. From this analysis, the splitting of the Q(X) and Q(Y) states has been determined more accurately than in any previous attempts.

Determination of the ground electronic state in transition metal halides: ZrF.

The spectroscopy of the ZrF radical, produced by a laser ablation-molecular beam experimental setup, has been investigated for the first time using a two-color two-photon (1 + 1') REMPI scheme and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry detection. The region of intense bands 400-470 nm has been studied, based upon the first spectroscopic observations of the isovalent ZrCl radical by Carroll and Daly. The overall spectrum observed is complex. However, simultaneous and individual ion detection of the five naturally occurring isotopologues of ZrF has provided a crucial means of identifying band origins and characterization via the isotopic shift, δ(iso), of the numerous vibronic transitions recorded. Hence, five (0-0) transitions, of which only two were free of overlap with other transitions, have been identified. The most intense (0-0) transition at 23113 cm(-1) presented an unambiguously characteristic RQP rotational structure. From rotational contour simulations of the observed spectra, the nature of the ground electronic state is found to be unambiguously of (2)Δ symmetry, leading to the assignment of this band as (0-0) (2)Δ â† X(2)Δ at 23113 cm(-1). A set of transitions (1-0) (2)Δ â† X(2)Δ at 22105 cm(-1) and (2-0) (2)Φ â† X(2)Δ at 22944 cm(-1) involving the X(2)Δ state has also been identified and analyzed. Furthermore, a second series of transitions with lesser intensity has also been related to the long-lived metastable (4)Σ(-) state: (3-0) (4)Π(-1/2) ← (4)Σ(-) at 21801 cm(-1), (2-0) (4)Π(-1/2) ← (4)Σ(-) at 21285 cm(-1) and (2-0) (4)Σ(-) ← (4)Σ(-) at 23568 cm(-1). These spectroscopic assignments are supported by MRCI ab initio calculations, performed using the MOLPRO quantum chemistry package, and show that the low-lying excited states of the ZrF radical are the (4)Σ(-) and (4)Φ states lying at 2383 and 4179 cm(-1) respectively above the ground X(2)Δ state. The difference in the nature of ground state and ordering of the first electronic states with TiF (X(4)Φ)(2-4) and ZrCl,(5) respectively, is examined in terms of the ligand field theory (LFT)(7) applied to diatomic molecules. These results give a precise description of the electronic structure of the low lying electronic states of the ZrF transition metal radical.

First observation in the gas phase of the ultrafast electronic relaxation pathways of the S(2) states of heme and hemin.

The time evolution of electronically excited heme (iron II protoporphyrin IX, [Fe(II) PP]) and its associated salt hemin (iron III protoporphyrin IX chloride, [Fe(III) PP-Cl]), has been investigated for the first time in the gas phase by femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy. The porphyrins were excited at 400 nm in the S(2) state (Soret band) and their relaxation dynamics was probed by multiphoton ionization at 800 nm. This time evolution was compared with that of the excited state of zinc protoporphyrin IX [Zn PP] whose S(2) excited state likely decays to the long lived S(1) state through a conical intersection, in less than 100 fs. Instead, for [Fe(II) PP] and [Fe(III) PP-Cl], the key relaxation step from S(2) is interpreted as an ultrafast charge transfer from the porphyrin excited orbital π* to a vacant d orbital on the iron atom (ligand to metal charge transfer, LMCT). This intermediate LMCT state then relaxes to the ground state within 250 fs. Through this work a new, serendipitous, preparation step was found for Fe(II) porphyrins, in the gas phase.

Infra-red and Raman spectroscopy of free-base and zinc phthalocyanines isolated in matrices.

The infrared absorption spectra of matrix-isolated zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and free-base phthalocyanine (H(2)Pc) have been recorded in the region from 400 to 4000 cm(-1) in solid N(2), Ar, Kr and Xe. Raman spectra have been recorded in doped KBr pellets. The isotopomers HDPc and D(2)Pc have been synthesised in an attempt to resolve the conflicting assignments that currently exist in the literature for the N-H bending modes in H(2)Pc spectra. A complete correlation between the vibrational modes of the three free-base isotopomers and ZnPc has been achieved. Comparison of the IR and Raman spectroscopic results, obtained with isotopic substitution and with predictions from large basis set ab initio calculations, allows identification of the in-plane (IP) and out-of-plane (OP) N-H bending modes. The largest IP isotope shift is observed in the IR at 1046 cm(-1) and at 1026 cm(-1) in Raman spectra while the largest effect in the OP bending modes is at 764 cm(-1). OP bending modes are too weak to be observed in the experimental Raman data. The antisymmetric N-H stretching mode is observed at approximately 3310 cm(-1) in low temperature solids slightly blue shifted from, but entirely consistent with the literature KBr data. With the exception of the N-H stretches, the recorded H/D isotope shifts in all the N-H vibrations are complex, with the IP bending modes exhibiting small nu(H)/nu(D) ratios (the largest value is 1.089) while one of the observed OP modes has a ratio < 1. DFT results reveal that the small ratios arise in particular from strong coupling of the N-H IP bending modes with IP stretching modes of C-N bonds. The unexpected finding of a nu(H)/nu(D) ratio smaller than one was analysed theoretically by examining the evolution of the frequencies of the free base by increasing the mass from H to D in a continuous manner. A consequence of this frequency increase in the heavier isotopomer is that the direction of the N-D OP bend is reversed from the N-H OP bend.

Amplified emission of phthalocyanine isolated in cryogenic matrices.

Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy of free-base (H(2)Pc) and zinc (ZnPc) phthalocyanines trapped in rare gas and nitrogen matrices reveals a quite unexpected phenomenon with a moderate increase in the laser intensity. In all matrices except Xe, a huge increase occurs in the intensity of an emission band near 755 nm when pumping the S(1) <-- S(0) transition. The band involves a vibrational mode of the ground state, located at 1550 and 1525 cm(-1) for H(2)Pc and ZnPc, respectively. Many of the characteristics of amplified emission (AE) are exhibited by this vibronic transition. Excitation scans recorded for the AE band yield greatly enhanced site selectivity compared to what is obtained in normal fluorescence excitation scans.

Photolysis of allene and propyne in the 7-30 eV region probed by the visible fluorescence of their fragments.

The photolysis of allene and propyne, two isomers of C(3)H(4), has been investigated in the excitation energy range of 7-30 eV using vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation. The visible fluorescence excitation spectra of the excited neutral photofragments of both isomers were recorded within the same experimental conditions. Below the first ionization potential (IP), this fluorescence was too weak to be dispersed and possibly originated from C(2)H or CH(2) radicals. Above IP, three excited photofragments have been characterized by their dispersed emission spectra: the CH radical (A (2)Delta-X (2)Pi), the C(2) radical (d (3)Pi(g)-a (3)Pi(u), "Swan's bands"), and the H atom (4-2 and 3-2 Balmer lines). A detailed analysis of the integrated emission intensities allowed us to determine several apparition thresholds for these fragments, all of them being interpreted as rapid and barrierless dissociation processes on the excited potential energy surfaces. In the low energy range explored in this work, both isomers exhibit different intensity distributions in their fragment emission as a function of the photolysis energy, indicating that mutual allene<-->propyne isomerization is not fully completed before dissociation occurs. The effect of isomerization on the dissociation into excited fragments is present in the whole excitation energy range albeit less important in the 7-16 eV region; it gradually increases with increasing excitation energy. Above 19 eV, the fragment distribution is very similar for the two isomers.

Femtosecond electronic relaxation of excited metalloporphyrins in the gas phase.

A systematic study of the ultrafast decay of metalloporphyrins containing various transition metals with partially filled 3d shells and zinc (3d filled) is reported here after excitation in the second excited state of the system (Soret band). Both time-of-flight mass spectrometry and velocity map imaging have been used for detection. A general biexponential decay with a short time constant tau1 approximately 100 fs is observed for the transition metal porphyrins, followed by a tau2 approximately 1 ps time decay. This evolution is interpreted as a porphyrin-to-metal charge transfer, tau1, followed by a back transfer, tau2, which leads to an excited state (d,d*) localized on the metal. These conclusions stem from the different behaviors of zinc and the transition metal porphyrins. A porphyrin-to-metal charge transfer model is chosen to describe the relaxation mechanism, based upon the fact that transition metalloporphyrins can accept electrons on the metal site, in contrast to zinc porphyrins.

Infrared spectra of RuTPP, RuCOTPP, and Ru(CO)2TPP isolated in solid argon.

Infrared spectra of unstable species such as CO-free ruthenium tetraphenylporphyrin RuTPP and RuCOTPP (species with vacant coordination sites) isolated in solid argon at 8 K have been recorded. Selective deposition conditions allow the isolation of either RuTPP and RuCOTPP or RuCOTPP and Ru(CO)2TPP. This depends on the preparation conditions of the sample. A specific Ru-CO bending mode has been characterized at 590.1 cm(-1) for Ru(CO)2TPP. The behavior of each vibrational mode of RuTPP, RuCOTPP, and Ru(CO)2TPP has been analyzed. Modes such as gamma8 at 721.3 cm(-1) (out-of-plane stretching mode gamma(Cbeta-H)sym) and nu41 at 1342.8 cm(-1) (nuCalpha-N coupled with deltaCalpha-Cm) reflect the charge transfer in the porphyrin. Indeed, the addition of one or two CO ligands to RuTPP reduces the charge transfer between the metal center and the porphyrin, which appears as an increase in the frequency of the nu41 mode and in a decrease in that of the gamma8 mode.