Mössbauer studies of the iron-sulfur cluster-free hydrogenase: the electronic state of the mononuclear Fe active site

The iron-sulfur cluster-free hydrogenase (Hmd) from methanogenic archaea harbors an iron-containing, light-sensitive cofactor of still unknown structure as prosthetic group. The enzyme is reversibly inhibited by CO and cyanide and is EPR silent. We report here on M?ssbauer spectra of the (57)Fe-labeled enzyme and of the isolated cofactor. The spectrum of the holoenzyme measured at 80 K revealed a doublet peak with an isomer shift delta = 0.06 mm.s(-)(1) and a quadrupole splitting of DeltaE(Q) = 0.65 mm.s(-)(1) (at pH 8.0). The signal intensity corresponded to the enzyme concentration assuming 1 Fe per mol active site. Upon addition of CO or cyanide to the enzyme, the isomer shift decreased to -0.03 mm.s(-)(1) and -0.00(1) mm.s(-)(1), and the quadrupole splitting increased to 1.38 mm.s(-)(1) and 1.75 mm.s(-)(1), respectively. The three spectra could be perfectly simulated assuming the presence of only one type of iron in Hmd. The low isomer shift is characteristic for Fe in a low oxidation state (0, +1, +2). When the spectra of the holoenzyme and of the CO- or cyanide-inhibited enzyme were measured at 4 K in a magnetic field of 4 and 7 T, the spectra obtained could be simulated assuming the presence of only the external magnetic field, which excludes that the iron in the active site of Hmd is Fe(I), high-spin Fe(0), or high-spin Fe(II). M?ssbauer spectra of the isolated Hmd cofactor are also reported.     

Mössbauer study of some Fe-containing M6 and M5 clusters

Isomer shift (δ) and quadrupole splitting (Δ) parameters have been assigned to the iron sites in [FeRh₅(CO)₁₆]⁻, trans- and cis-[Fe₂Rh₄(CO)₁₆]²⁻, [Fe₃-Rh₃(CO)₁₇]³⁻, [FeRh₄(CO)₁₅]²⁻, [Fe₃Pt₃(CO)₁₅]²⁻ and [Fe₄M(CO)₁₆]²⁻ (M = Pd or Pt) from ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra recorded at 78 K. The data for the closo compounds [FeRh₅(CO)₁₆]⁻ and [Fe₂Rh₄(CO)₁₆]²⁻ are compared with those for [Fe₆(CO)₁₆C]²⁻. In [Fe₃Rh₃(CO)₁₇]³⁻, the three major Fe sites were identified. For both [Fe₄M(CO)₁₆]²⁻ compounds two isomers were shown to be present in the solid state.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, Mössbauer spectra, and redox properties of binuclear and tetranuclear iron-sulfur nitrosyl clusters

The iron-sulfur nitrosyl complexes A[Fe₄S₃(NO)₇], where A=Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, or N(Bu ⁿ )₄ ⁺, and B₂[Fe₂S₂(NO)₄], where B=Na⁺, Cs⁺, or N(Buⁿ)₄ ⁺, were synthesized. Their structures and properties were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The effect of the crystal packing on the geometry of the tetranuclear NH₄[Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]·H₂O and binuclear Cs₂[Fe₂S₂(NO)₄]·2H₂O complexes was analyzed. The changes in the Fe⁵⁷ Mössbauer spectral parameters of the anion in the B₂[Fe₂S₂(NO)₄] series depend on the size of the B cation and agree with variations in the structural parameters of the Fe[S₂(NO)₂] chromophores as well as in the stretching vibrations of the NO groups caused by changes in intermolecular contacts. The presence of electronic states delocalized through the Fe?Fe bonds explains the fact that the electronic states of the Fe_a(S₃NO) and Fe_b(S₂(NO)₂) chromophores in the [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]^? anion are nearly identical. The binuclear clusters are unstable upon storage in the solid phase and decompose in solutions to form the tetranuclear [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]^? complexes, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. The redox properties of the [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]^? and [Fe₂S₂(NO₄)]^2? anions in CH₃CN and THF solutions were studied. The mechanism of reduction of the anion in the tetranuclear cluster is proposed.     

Combined use of X-ray photoelectron and Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques in the analytical characterization of iron oxidation state in amphibole asbestos

Asbestos fibers are an important cause of serious health problems and respiratory diseases. The presence, structural coordination, and oxidation state of iron at the fiber surface are potentially important for the biological effects of asbestos because iron can catalyze the Haber–Weiss reaction, generating the reactive oxygen species ?OH. Literature results indicate that the surface concentration of Fe(III) may play an important role in fiber-related radical formation. Amphibole asbestos were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Mössbauer spectroscopy, with the aim of determining the surface vs. bulk Fe(III)/Fe_tot ratios. A standard reference asbestos (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer crocidolite from South Africa) and three fibrous tremolite samples (from Italy and USA) were investigated. In addition to the Mössbauer spectroscopy study of bulk Fe(III)/Fe_tot ratios, much work was dedicated to the interpretation of the XPS Fe2p signal and to the quantification of surface Fe(III)/Fe_tot ratios. Results confirmed the importance of surface properties because this showed that fiber surfaces are always more oxidized than the bulk and that Fe(III) is present as oxide and oxyhydroxide species. Notably, the highest difference of surface/bulk Fe oxidation was found for San Mango tremolite—the sample that in preliminary cytotoxicity tests (MTT assay) had revealed a cell mortality delayed with respect to the other samples.     

Study of the dependence of Mössbauer parameters on the outer cation in nitroprussides

The Mössbauer spectra of 29 nitroprussides have been measured and the parameters and correlated with the polarizing power Z/r² of the outer cations. There is no overall correlation but there are limited groups in which a trend can be ascertained. In isoelectronic sequences such as Li⁺, Be²⁺; Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, where the outer electronic shell remains fixed, while Z/r² increases, a definite trend of decreasing and with increasing Z/r² is observed.     

On the calculation of Mössbauer isomer shift

A quantum chemical computational scheme for the calculation of isomer shift in Mossbauer spectroscopy is suggested. Within the described scheme, the isomer shift is treated as a derivative of the total electronic energy with respect to the radius of a finite nucleus. The explicit use of a finite nucleus model in the calculations enables one to incorporate straightforwardly the effects of relativity and electron correlation. The results of benchmark calculations carried out for several iron complexes as well as for a number of atoms and atomic ions are presented and compared with the available experimental and theoretical data.     

Mössbauer studies of the alkaline-earth ferricyanide hydrates

The existence of alkali-earth ferricyanides hydrates with different number of water molecules is established by the Mossbauer effect, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The Mössbauer spectra exhibits a quadrupole splitting whose value is dependent on the number of water molecules in the unit cell. It is shown that the hydration process is not a continuous one but the loss or gain of water molecules occurs by steps in a well defined way.     

Analysis of the Probability of the Mössbauer Effect in Iron(III) β-Diketonates

The probability of the Mössbauer effect f has been evaluated and the Debye temperatures of intermolecular vibrations _M at 295 and 78 K have been determined for ten Fe(III) -diketonates, which are complexes of molecular type. Variation of _M with temperature and molecular mass M has been found; in the latter case, _M decreases as M increases. As a result of this antibatic change in _M and M, the effect of a decreased energy of intermolecular interaction dominates the effect of increased molecular mass, and f decreases in conformity with the prediction provided by the molecular crystal model.     

Mössbauer Investigation of Characteristic Distribution of Iron Oxides in Sediments from the Antarctica

Sediments from the Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, were investigated by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and radiometry. Quartz, feldspar, chlorite, calcite, dolomite, mica, kaolinite, hematite and magnetite were identified as constituent minerals in the sediment samples. The phase composition and the iron distribution among the crystallographic sites of iron-bearing minerals (silicates, magnetite and hematite) of samples from different location have been derived from the complex Mössbauer spectra. At different locations sediments had significant characteristic differences in the mineral composition, in the iron distribution among the crystallographic site of silicates, and in the specific radioactivity of Cs radionuclides. These results indicate differences in the rock formation and alteration by the sediments in this maritime part of Antarctica. There is a much higher amount of iron oxides in the sediments from south part of the geological fault across the Admiralty Bay than in the north part. This can be associated with much more alteration in the rocks in the south part compared to the northern one. This finding can contribute to the question of the history of the formation and alteration of volcanic rocks in the border of Antarctica.     

M?ssbauer spectroscopy and structural analysis of solids

Mössbauer spectroscopy is reviewed as a method of analysis of hyperfine interactions in the solid state. It is sensitive both to the atomic scale and to phase structures. It utilizes the interactions between the hyperfine fields and nuclei in solids measured by a nuclear technique. The importance of various Mössbauer isotopes is discussed, the ⁵⁷Fe being still the most important. Principles of the qualitative determination of the structure sites and/or phase attachment are explained on the basis of the measurement of hyperfine structure parameters (i.e. the isomer (chemical) shift, the quadrupole and magnetic splittings). The role of the hyperfine field distribution determination is stressed, especially the magnetic hyperfine induction distribution in magnetically ordered solids. Conditions are explained for the feasibility of quantitative estimations of site occupancy and phase abundance. With respect to the predominant role of the magnetic hyperfine structure predestinating Mössbauer spectroscopy to be considered simultaneously as a special magnetic measuring technique, examples are chosen from the field of new magnetic materials. For the substituted hexagonal (M-type) ferrites (aimed, e.g., for the perpendicular magnetic recording), Mössbauer determination of the cation site occupancy is discussed. Structural changes in ion implanted Fe-B-based amorphous alloys detected by the hyperfine field distribution are shown. For the magnetically extremely soft FeCuNbSiB alloys, produced by the controlled crystallization of an amorphous ribbon, the estimation of their rather complicated phase composition by the Mössbauer phase analysis is demonstrated.Common enterprise of the Department of Low Temperature Physics with the Institute of Physics and Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague     

Fifty years since the discovery of the Mössbauer effect

The history of the discovery is presented; the role of the effect as a new analytical method of nuclear magnetic resonance, which has found wide application in materials science, chemistry, biology, mineralogy, and also in chemical kinetics and radiation chemistry, is outlined.     

M?ssbauer study of transformation mechanism of Fe cations in olivine after thermal treatments in air

The transformation mechanism of Fe cations in natural olivine after thermal treatments in air has been studied using mainly⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. -Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles appear as the primary Fe³⁺ phase in Mössbauer spectra of olivine samples heated at 600-900 °C. These nanoparticles are thermally unstable and they are transformed to -Fe₂O₃ with the increase of heating time. Another transformation mechanism of iron related with the complete decomposition of olivine structure has been observed at temperatures of 1000 °C and higher. The mixed oxide MgFe₂O₄ with the spinel structure and enstatite MgSiO₃ were identified as iron-bearing decomposition products.     

Mössbauer study of the new pyrochlore form of FeF3

Mössbauer spectrometry has been undertaken as a function of temperature on a new form of FeF₃ with the modified pyrochlore structure, recently synthesized by topotactic oxidation. The Mössbauer data (in zero field and in external magnetic field) lead to a noncollinear magnetic structure, in agreement with previous neutron diffraction results. The low value of T_N is discussed in terms of magnetic frustration.     

Mössbauer Study of the Structure of Fe - Zircon System

Iron-doped silicate (zircon), prepared by a ceramic method with the addition of LiF as mineralizer, was analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy to obtain information on the solid solution formation. The results of X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy have shown that only a small fraction of iron, about 1.5 mol%, is incorporated in the zircon structure as paramagnetic Fe³⁺ species while the remaining Fe³⁺ cations form magnetic -Fe₂O₃ particles which are trapped within the zircon matrix.     

Application of the Mössbauer spectroscopy to the study of the oxidation state of azaferrocene derivatives

Azaferrocene has two active sites of iron and nitrogen atoms. Drastic change of the oxidation state in iodine oxidation of azaferrocene is observed by introducing the methyl substituents into the pyrrole ring, while all the N-methylates show a similar electronic state. It was revealed that an introduction of methyl substituent to the pyrrole ring promotes the oxidation of nitrogen atom in pyrrole ring more than the central iron atom.     

Applications of Mössbauer spectroscopy to the study of electronic materials

A brief introduction to the methodology of the Mössbauer spectroscopy will be given. The main applications to the study of the intrinsic properties of the materials employed in the electronic technology are reviewed.The reported examples prove the effectiveness of this techniques in the study of semiconducting and magnetic materials.Evidence will be given also to the studies of preparation processes of crystalline and amorphous compound.     

Mössbauer Spectroscopy of Spinels

Soon after the discovery of the Mössbauer effect, studies were performed on spinels containing various transition metal ions (mostly Fe²⁺). This method proved very useful for investigating the local symmetry at transition metal ions. In spite of the numerous results, the correct interpretation of the complex quadrupole split spectra is still not given for numerous spinel structures. Since spectra of different shapes were measured for FeAl₂O₄ and FeCr₂O₄ by different authors, we performed new measurements on these spinels. The results on FeAl₂O₄ showed that the statistical distribution of another kind of ions in the positions A may influence the electric field gradient at the Fe²⁺ ions in the tetrahedral interstices. In FeCr₂O₄ and in the mixed Fe_0.5Mg_0.5Cr₂O₄, the electric field gradient exists at the Fe²⁺ ions at room temperature indicating that the degeneracy of the orbital doublet of the Fe²⁺ is removed.