Rotational spectra of the carbon-chain radicals HC5O, HC6O, and HC7O

Three new free carbon-chain radicals, HC5O, HC6O, and HC7O, and their deuterated isotopic species have been observed by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of a supersonic molecular beam. In contrast to the shorter HCnO radicals, these all have linear heavy-atom backbones and 2Pi electronic ground states. Like the isovalent HCnS radicals, the ground states of the HCnO radicals alternate with odd and even numbers of carbon atoms: those of HC5O and HC7O are 2Pi1/2 and that of HC6O is 2Pi3/2. From frequency measurements between 6 and 26 GHz, the rotational constant B, the centrifugal distortion constant D, and the lambda-type doubling and magnetic hyperfine constants have been determined to high precision for each chain. Predicted properties from coupled-cluster calculations are also reported for chains up to HC9O. The production of HCnO radicals for n even was highly favored when O2 was used as the source of oxygen, but those with n odd were best produced with CO.     

Rotational spectrum and hydrogen bonding of the H2O-HO radical complex

The first spectroscopic identification of the H2O-HO radical complex in the gas phase has been conducted by utilizing pulsed-discharge nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. R-branch transitions in the Ka = 0 manifold appeared as in Hund's case (b), but extraordinarily large spin doubling implies a strong spin-orbit coupling between the electronic ground and low-lying excited states that correlate to the degenerate 2Pi state in free OH. The geometry of the complex is of C2v symmetry as a zero-point vibrational average, in which the OH radical acts as a proton donor to water. Precisely determined hyperfine coupling constants associated with hydrogen nuclei indicate a substantial rearrangement in unpaired electron distribution: there exists small but nonzero spin density on the H atoms in water.     

Microwave spectra and gas phase structural parameters for N-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione

The microwave spectrum for N-hydroxypyridine-2(1H)-thione (pyrithione) was measured in the frequency range 6-18 GHz, providing accurate rotational constants and nitrogen quadrupole coupling strengths for three isotopologues, C(5)H(4)(32)S(14)NOH, C(5)H(4)(32)S(14)NOD, and C(5)H(4)(34)S(14)NOH. Pyrithione was found to be in a higher concentration in the gas phase than the other tautomer, 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (MPO). Microwave spectroscopy is best suited to determine which structure predominates in the gas phase. The measured rotational constants were used to accurately determine the coordinates of the substituted atoms and provided sufficient data to determine some of the important structural parameters for pyrithione, the only tautomer observed in the present work. The spectra were obtained using a pulsed-beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer, with sufficient resolution to allow accurate measurements of the (14)N nuclear quadrupole hyperfine interactions. Ab initio calculations provided structural parameters and quadrupole coupling strengths that are in very good agreement with measured values. The experimental rotational constants for the parent compound are A = 3212.10(1), B = 1609.328(7), and C = 1072.208(6) MHz, yielding the inertial defect Δ(0) = -0.023 amu·?(2) for the C(5)H(4)(32)S(14)NOH isotopologue. The observed near zero inertial defect clearly indicates a planar structure. The least-squares fit structural analysis yielded the experimental bond lengths R(O-H) = 0.93(2) ?, R(C-S) = 1.66(2) ?, and angle (N-O-H) = 105(4)° for the ground state structure.     

Monohydrates of cuprous chloride and argentous chloride: H2O⋅⋅⋅CuCl and H2O⋅⋅⋅AgCl characterized by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

Pure rotational spectra of the ground vibrational states of ten isotopologues of each of H(2)O???CuCl and H(2)O???AgCl have been measured and analyzed to determine rotational constants and hyperfine coupling constants for each molecule. The molecular structure and spectroscopic parameters determined from the experimental data are presented alongside the results of calculations at the CCSD(T) level. Both experiment and theory are consistent with structures that are nonplanar at equilibrium. The heavy atoms are collinear while the local C(2) axis of the water molecule intersects the axis defined by the heavy atoms at an angle, φ = 40.9(13)° for Cu and φ = 37.4(16)° for Ag. In the zero-point state, each molecule is effectively planar, undergoing rapid inversion between two equivalent structures where φ has equal magnitude but opposite sign. The equilibrium geometry has C(s) symmetry, however. The ab initio calculations confirm that the timescale of this inversion is at least an order of magnitude faster than that of rotation of the molecule in the lowest rotational energy levels. The molecular geometries are rationalized using simple rules that invoke the electrostatic interactions within the complexes. Centrifugal distortion constants, Δ(J) and Δ(JK), nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, χ(aa)(Cu), χ(aa)(Cl), (χ(bb) - χ(cc))(Cu), and (χ(bb) - χ(cc))(Cl), and the nuclear spin-rotation constant of the copper atom, C(bb)(Cu)+C(cc)(Cu), are also presented.     

Hyperfine coupling constants of the azafullerenes C19N, C59N, C69N, and C75N

The isomers of the nitrogen-substituted fullerenes (azafullerenes) C19N, C59N, C69N, and C75N are examined using all-electron Gaussian atomic orbital basis density functional theory, to determine the doublet radical geometries and hyperfine coupling constants. We find that the inaccuracy of previously calculated hyperfine coupling constants of C59N resulted from a poor treatment of the geometry optimization. We find that UB3LYP minimization of the radical geometry in the 6-31G basis, followed by single-point evaluation of the hyperfine constants in which an expanded basis is used on the atomic sites of interest, forms an efficient compromise between computational cost and accuracy with respect to experimental hyperfine constants. Using this approach, we assign the hyperfine signals observed in experiments on the C69N radical by calculating the hyperfine coupling constants for all five of the isomers and examine the electron spin density distribution. Finally, we present predicted hyperfine coupling constants for the isomers of C19N and C75N for use in the interpretation of future experiments.     

An ab initio study of the hyperfine structure in the X2 Pi electronic state of CCCH

The results of an ab initio study of the magnetic hyperfine structure in the X (2)Pi electronic state of CCCH are reported. The potential surfaces for two components of the X (2)Pi electronic state were computed by means of an extensive configuration interaction approach. The electronically averaged hyperfine coupling constants of H and (13)C for (12)C (12)C (12)CH, (13)C (12)C (12)CH, (12)C (13)C (12)CH, and (12)C (12)C (13)CH are obtained as functions of two bending vibrational modes by the density functional theory method. The vibronic wave functions are calculated with the help of a variational approach which takes into account the Renner-Teller effect and spin-orbit coupling. The model Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of the normal bending coordinates. It is found that, due to the generally strong geometry dependence of the hyperfine coupling constants, it is necessary to carry out the vibronic averaging of the corresponding functions in order to obtain the values which can be compared to the results of the measurements. The results of the present study help to reliably interpret the experimental data previously published. They also predict the yet unobserved hyperfine structure in excited vibronic states.     

Testing if the interstitial atom, X, of the nitrogenase molybdenum-iron cofactor is N or C: ENDOR, ESEEM, and DFT studies of the S = 3/2 resting state in multiple environments

A high-resolution (1.16 A) X-ray structure of the nitrogenase molybdenum-iron (MoFe) protein revealed electron density from a single N, O, or C atom (denoted X) inside the central iron prismane ([6Fe]) of the [MoFe7S9:homocitrate] FeMo-cofactor (FeMo-co). We here extend earlier efforts to determine the identity of X through detailed tests of whether X = N or C by interlocking and mutually supportive 9 GHz electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) and 35 GHz electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) measurements on 14/15N and 12/13C isotopomers of FeMo-co in three environments: (i) incorporated into the native MoFe protein environment; (ii) extracted into N-methyl formamide solution; and (iii) incorporated into the NifX protein, which acts as a chaperone during FeMo-co biosynthesis. These measurements provide powerful evidence that X not equal N/C, unless X in effect is magnetically decoupled from the S = 3/2 electron spin system of resting FeMo-co. They reveal no signals from FeMo-co in any of the three environments that can be assigned to X from either 14/15N or 13C: If X were either element, its maximum observed hyperfine coupling at all fields of measurement is estimated to be A(14/15NX) < 0.07/0.1 MHz, A(13CX) < 0.1 MHz, corresponding to intrinsic couplings of about half these values. In parallel, we have explicitly calculated the hyperfine tensors for X = 14/15N/13C/17O, nuclear quadrupole coupling constant e2qQ for X = 14N, and hyperfine constants for the Fe sites of S = 3/2 FeMo-co using density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with the broken-symmetry (BS) approach for spin coupling. If X = C/N, then the decoupling required by experiment strongly supports the "BS7" spin coupling of the FeMo-co iron sites, in which a small X hyperfine coupling is the result of a precise balance of spin density contributions from three spin-up and three spin-down (3 upward arrow:3 downward arrow) iron atoms of the [6Fe] prismane "waist" of FeMo-co; this would rule out the "BS6" assignment (4 upward arrow:2 downward arrow for [6Fe]) suggested in earlier calculations. However, even with the BS7 scheme, the hyperfine couplings that would be observed for X near g2 are sufficiently large that they should have been detected: we suggest that the experimental results are compatible with X = N only if aiso(14/15NX) < 0.03-0.07/0.05-0.1 MHz and aiso(13CX) < 0.05-0.1 MHz, compared with calculated values of aiso(14/15NX) = 0.3/0.4 MHz and aiso(13CX) = 1 MHz. However, the DFT uncertainties are large enough that the very small hyperfine couplings required by experiment do not necessarily rule out X = N/C.     

Electron spin density distribution of a series of nitroxide radicals with five-member ring as studied by solid-state 1H, 2H and 13C NMR

Stable nitroxide radicals are useful to construct molecular magnetic systems. Particularly, radicals substituted by –COOH and –CONH₂ can be coordinated to magnetic metal ions and may be used as cladding reagents of gold nano-particles for modifying magnetism. Nitroxide molecules with unsaturated five-member ring have almost planner structure and electron spin delocalization may be expected. We determined the hyperfine coupling constants (hfcc) of ¹H, ²H and ¹³C of a series of nitroxide radicals with five-member ring. Experimental values of hfcc were compared with those deduced from calculations based on density functional theory. The electron spin density distribution at β position of ring was sensitive to the ring structure, although the electron spin density at β position is small compared with N–O site. Magnetic susceptibility and UV–Vis absorption spectra were also measured and discussed.     

Renner-Teller effect in C2H2+(X2Pi u) studied by rotationally resolved zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy

The Renner-Teller effect in C(2)H(2)(+)(X(2)Pi(u)) has been studied by using zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy and coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation. The rotationally resolved vibronic spectra have been recorded for energies up to 2000 cm(-1) above the ground vibrational state. The C triple bond C symmetric stretching (upsilon(2)), the CCH trans bending (upsilon(4)), and the CCH cis bending (upsilon(5)) vibrational excitations have been observed. The assigned vibronic bands are 4(1)(1)(kappa(2)Sigma(u)(+))(hot band), 4(1)(0)(mu/kappa(2)Sigma (u)(-/+)), 5(1)(0)(mu/kappa(2)Sigma (g)(+/-)), and 4(2)(0)(mu(2)Pi(u)), 4(2)(0)(kappa(2)Pi(u)), 4(1)(0)5(1)(0) (mu(2)Pi(g)), 0(0)(0)(X(2)Pi(u)), and 2(1)(0)(X(2)Pi(u)). The Renner-Teller parameters, the harmonic frequencies, the spin-orbit coupling constants, and the rotational constants for the corresponding vibronic bands have been determined by fitting the spectra with energy eigenvalues from the Hamiltonian that considers simultaneously Renner-Teller coupling, vibrational energies, rotational energies, and spin-orbit coupling interaction.     

The ground-state rotational spectrum and molecular geometry of ethynylstannane

The ground-state rotational spectra of 24 isotopomers of ethynylstannane have been observed by pulsed-jet, Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. The spectroscopic constants, B(0,)D(J) and D(JK) are reported for symmetric-top isotopomers H(3)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CH, where n = 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 122 and 124, D(3)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CH, where n = 116, 118, 120, 122 and 124, H(3)(n)Sn(13)C(12) CH and H(3)(n)Sn(12)C(13)CH , where n = 116,118 and 120, and H(3)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CD, where n = 116, 118 and 120. In addition, the values of A(0), B(0), C(0), Delta(J) and Delta(JK) were obtained for the three asymmetric-top isotopomers DH(2)(n)Sn(12)C(12)CH, where n = 116, 118 and 120. Hyperfine structure was resolved and assigned in the transitions of the isotopomers H(3)(n)SnCCD, where n = 116, 118 and 120, and in the isotopomers H(3)(117)SnCCH and H(3)(119)SnCCH. In the former group, the hyperfine structure arises from D nuclear quadrupole coupling while in the latter group its origin lies in the spin-rotation coupling of the I = 1/2 Sn nuclear spin to the rotational motion. For these isotopomers, D nuclear quadrupole and spin-rotation coupling constants are determined where appropriate. The rotational constants obtained for the 24 isotopomers of H(3)SnCCH were used to obtain the following types of molecular geometry for ethynylstannane: r(0), r(s), and r(m).     

Hyperfine resolved spectrum of the bromomethyl radical, CH2Br, by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy

Pure rotational spectra of the bromomethyl radical, CH(2)Br, were measured by using a Fourier transform microwave (FT-MW) spectrometer in order to fully resolve hyperfine structures arising from both the bromine and hydrogen nuclei. We detected a total of 124 lines for the (79)Br and (81)Br isotopomers, including K(a)=0 (ortho species) and K(a)=1 (para species). No hyperfine splitting due to the hydrogen nuclei was observed for the para species, directly confirming the planarity of the radical. We conducted a global analysis of our present FT-MW results and previous measurements in the millimeter-wave region and obtained an exhaustive list of molecular constants. The sign of the Fermi constant of the bromine nucleus was unambiguously determined to be positive, which is opposite to that found in previous work in the millimeter-wave region and in electron spin resonance experiment on this radical. The present study permitted a systematic comparison to be made of the hyperfine coupling constants of both the halogen and hydrogen nuclei for CH(2)X-type compounds, where X=F, Cl, and Br.     

Microwave spectra of isotopic pyrazoles and molecular structure of pyrazole

Microwave spectra of the complete set of monosubstituted isotopic pyrazoles have been investigated and the complete r_s structure of pyrazole determined. The deuterated and ¹⁵N species of pyrazole were prepared, while the ¹³C species were examined in natural abundance. The spectrum of the parent compound was remeasured yielding rotational and centrifugal distortion constants.The mutual position of the hydrogen atoms and the direction of the dipole moment in the pyrazole principal axis system has been unambiguously established.The ¹⁴N quadrupole hyperfine structure was resolved and the quadrupole coupling constants derived by Blackman et al. [8] were confirmed.An estimated r_z structure is compared to crystal structures derived by X-ray and neutron diffraction showing the N-H bond in the crystal to be prolonged. But, otherwise no significant differences seem to develop when bringing the molecule from its isolated state into the crystal with its strong hydrogen bonds.     

An ab initio calculation of the anisotropic hyperfine coupling constants in the low-lying vibronic levels of the X 2Pi electronic state of CCCH

The results of ab initio calculations of the vibronically averaged components of the anisotropic magnetic hyperfine tensor in the low-lying vibronic species of the X (2)Pi electronic state of CCCH and CCCD are reported. The electronically averaged hyperfine coupling constants for hydrogen and (13)C in (12)C (12)C (12)CH, (13)C (12)C (12)CH, (12)C (13)C (12)CH, (12)C (12)C (13)CH, and (12)C (12)C (12)CD are obtained as functions of two bending vibrational modes by the density functional theory method. The vibronic wave functions are calculated with help of a variational approach which takes into account the Renner-Teller effect and spin-orbit coupling. The results of the present study help to reliably interpret the experimental data previously published and predict the yet unobserved hyperfine structure in excited vibronic states of CCCH and CCCD.     

New molecular complexes of fullerenes C60 and C70 with tetraphenylporphyrins [M(tpp)], in which M=H2, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and FeCl

New molecular complexes of fullerenes C60 and C70 with tetraphenylporphyrins [M(tpp)] in which M-H2, MnII, CoII, CuII, ZnII and Fe(III)Cl, have been synthesised. Crystal structures of two C60 complexes with H2TPP, which differ only in the number of benzene solvated molecules, and C60 and C70 complexes with [Cu(tpp)] have been studied. The fullerene molecules form a honeycomb motif in H2TPP.2C60. 3C6H6, puckered graphite-like layers in H2TPP.2C60.4C6H6, zigzag chains in [Cu(tpp)].C70.1.5C7H8.0.5C2HCl3 and columns in [Cu(tpp)]2.C60. H2TPP has van der Waals contacts with C60 through nitrogen atoms and phenyl groups. Copper atoms of the [Cu(tpp)] molecules are weakly coordinated with C70, but form no shortened contacts with C60. The formation of molecular complexes with fullerenes affects the ESR spectra of [M(tpp)] (M = Mn, Co and Cu). [Mn(tpp)] in the complex with C70 lowers its spin state from S = 5/2 to S = 1/2, whereas [Co(tpp)] and [Cu(tpp)] change the constants of hyperfine interaction. ESR, IR, UV-visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic data show no noticeable charge transfer from the porphyrinate to the fullerene molecules.     

Temperature dependences of J(C,H) and J(C,D) in 13CH4 and some of its deuterated isotopomers

The nuclear spin—spin coupling constants J(C,H) and J(C,D) have been measured over the temperature range 200–370 K for the methane isotopomers ¹³CH₄, ¹³CH₃D, ¹³CHD₃ and ¹³CD₄. The coupling constants increase with increasing temperature for any one isotopomer and decrease with increasing secondary deuterium substitution at any one temperature. The results are entirely attributable to intramolecular effects and the data have been fitted by a weighted least-squares regression analysis to a spin—spin coupling surface thereby yielding a value for ¹J_e(C,H), the coupling constant at equilibrium geometry, and values for the bond length derivatives of the coupling. We find that ¹J_e(C,H) = 120.78 (±0.05) Hz which is about 4.5 Hz smaller than the observed value in ¹³CH₄ gas at room temperature. Results are also reported for J(H,D) in ¹³CH₃D and ¹³CHD₃ for which no temperature dependence was detected.     

High resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy V—structure dependence of the 13C,H coupling constants in aceheptylene,azulene and 5-azaazulene

In order to study the structure dependence of the ¹³C,H coupling constants in polycyclic conjugated π electron systems with 5-and 7-membered rings, the ¹H coupled ¹³C NMR spectra of aceheptylene, azulene and 5-azaazulene have been analysed. The results are discussed, including published data of monocyclic reference compounds, and are compared to theoretical values calculated by the FPT-INDO method. It is shown that, first, the geminal ¹³C,H couplings in the unsaturated 5-membered carbocycles are predominantly dependent on CC bond lengths. Second, the vicinal ¹³C,H coupling constants in 5- as well as in 7-membered unsaturated carbocyclic rings can be linearly related to the lengths of the central CC bonds. Third, the vicinal inter-ring couplings show a large variation and give information on ring junction, thus being of special value in structure determination and are governed mainly by the bond angles. Fourth, the calculated ¹³C,H couplings across one and two bonds are totally useless for practical purposes; those across three bonds, however, at least reflect the experimental trends.     

Millimeter-wave spectroscopy of H(2)C=CD: Tunneling splitting and ortho-para mixing interaction

The H(2)C=CD isotopic species of vinyl radical produced in a supersonic jet expansion by ultraviolet laser photolysis was studied by millimeter-wave spectroscopy. Due to the tunneling motion of the α deuteron, the ground state is split into two components, 0(+) and 0(-). Tunneling-rotation transitions connecting the lower (0(+)) and upper (0(-)) components of the tunneling doublet were observed in the frequency region of 184-334 GHz, including three R- and two Q-branch transitions. Three and two pure rotational transitions in the K(a)=0 and 1 stacks, respectively, were also observed for each of the 0(+) and 0(-) states in the frequency region of 52-159 GHz. Least-squares analysis of the observed frequencies for the tunneling-rotation and pure rotational transitions with well resolved hyperfine structures yielded a set of precise molecular constants, among which the tunneling splitting in the ground state was determined to be ΔE(0)=1187.234(17)?MHz, which is 1/14 that for H(2)C=CH. The potential barrier height derived from the observed tunneling splitting by an analysis of the tunneling dynamics using a one-dimensional model is 1545?cm(-1), consistent with the value 1568?cm(-1) obtained for the normal vinyl. The observed spectrum was found to be perturbed by a hyperfine interaction connecting ortho and para levels. The constant for the interaction, which we call the ortho-para mixing Fermi contact interaction, has been determined to be δa(F) ((β))=68.06(53)?MHz. This is believed to be the first definite detection of such an interaction. By this interaction the ortho and para states of H(2)C=CD are mixed up to about 0.1%. The constant is more than 1000 times larger than spin-rotation interaction constants that cause ortho-para mixing in closed shell molecules and suggests extremely rapid conversion between the ortho and para nuclear spin isomers of H(2)C=CD.     

Characterisation of H2S···CuCl and H2S···AgCl isolated in the gas phase: a rigidly pyramidal geometry at sulphur revealed by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

Pure rotational spectra of the ground vibrational states of eight isotopologues of H(2)S···CuCl and twelve isotopologues of H(2)S···AgCl have been analysed allowing rotational constants and hyperfine coupling constants to be determined. The molecular structures have been determined from the measured rotational constants and are presented alongside the results of calculations at the CCSD(T) level. Both molecules have C(s) symmetry at equilibrium and are pyramidal at the sulphur atom. The chlorine, metal, and sulphur atoms are collinear while the local C(2) axis of the hydrogen sulphide molecule intersects the axis defined by the heavy atoms at an angle, φ = 74.46(2)° for Cu and φ = 78.052(6)° for Ag. The molecular geometries are rationalised using simple rules that invoke the electrostatic interactions within the complexes. Centrifugal distortion constants, Δ(J), and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, χ(aa)(Cu) and χ(aa)(Cl) for H(2)S···CuCl are presented for the first time. The geometry of H(2)S···AgCl is determined with fewer assumptions and greater precision than previously.     

Laser spectroscopy of NiBr: new electronic states and hyperfine structure

Laser induced fluorescence spectrum of NiBr in the visible region between 604 and 666 nm has been recorded and analyzed. Fourteen bands belonging to three electronic transition systems, namely, [15.1] (2)Delta(52)-X (2)Pi(32), [15.1] (2)Pi(32)-X (2)Pi(32), and [14.0] (2)Delta(52)-X (2)Pi(32) have been observed. Spectra of isotopic molecules were also observed and analyzed. Detailed analysis of the recorded spectra indicated that the two electronic states [15.1] (2)Pi(32) and [15.1] (2)Delta(52) lie about 1 cm(-1) apart from each other and J-dependent perturbation due to spin-uncoupling interaction has been observed. Least squares fitting procedures involving deperturbation matrix elements were used to fit the observed line positions, which yielded accurate molecular constants for the [15.1] (2)Pi(32) and [15.1] (2)Delta(52) states. In addition, the (1,0) band of the [15.1] (2)Delta(52)-X (2)Pi(32) transition shows partially resolved hyperfine structure that was caused by the interaction of unpaired electron with the magnetic moment of the Br nucleus (nuclear spin of I=32) in the excited state. The rapid decrease in hyperfine width as J increases suggests that the hyperfine coupling in the excited state conforms to Hund's case (a(beta)) coupling scheme.     

The electronic structure of the flavin cofactor in DNA photolyase.

Density functional theory is used to calculate the electronic structure of the neutral flavin radical, FADH(*), formed in the light-induced electron-transfer reaction of DNA repair in cis,syn-cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyases. Using the hybrid B3LYP functional together with the double-zeta basis set EPR-II, (1)H, (13)C, (15)N, and (17)O isotropic and anisotropic hyperfine couplings are calculated and explained by reference to the electron densities of the highest occupied molecular orbital and of the unpaired spin distribution on the radical. Comparison of calculated and experimental hyperfine couplings obtained from EPR and ENDOR/TRIPLE resonance leads to a refined structure for the FAD cofactor in Escherichia coli DNA photolyase. Hydrogen bonding at N3H, O4, and N5H results in significant changes in the unpaired spin density distribution and hyperfine coupling constants. The calculated electronic structure of FADH(*) provides evidence for a superexchange-mediated electron transfer between the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer lesion and the 7,8-dimethyl isoalloxazine moiety of the flavin cofactor via the adenine moiety.