Coherence in electron transfer pathways

Central to the view of electron-transfer reactions is the idea that nuclear motion generates a transition state geometry at which the electron/hole amplitude propagates coherently from the electron donor to the electron acceptor. In the weakly coupled or nonadiabatic regime, the electron amplitude tunnels through an electronic barrier between the donor and acceptor. The structure of the barrier is determined by the covalent and noncovalent interactions of the bridge. Because the tunneling barrier depends on the nuclear coordinates of the reactants (and on the surrounding medium), the tunneling barrier is highly anisotropic, and it is useful to identify particular routes, or pathways, along which the transmission amplitude propagates. Moreover, when more than one such pathway exists, and the paths give rise to comparable transmission amplitude magnitudes, one may expect to observe quantum interferences among pathways if the propagation remains coherent. Given that the effective tunneling barrier height and width are affected by the nuclear positions, the modulation of the nuclear coordinates will lead to a modulation of the tunneling barrier and hence of the electron flow. For long distance electron transfer in biological and biomimetic systems, nuclear fluctuations, arising from flexible protein moieties and mobile water bridges, can become quite significant. We discuss experimental and theoretical results that explore the quantum interferences among coupling pathways in electron-transfer kinetics; we emphasize recent data and theories associated with the signatures of chirality and inelastic processes, which are manifested in the tunneling pathway coherence (or absence of coherence).     

Computational methods for intramolecular electron transfer in a ferrous-ferric iron complex

The limitations of common theoretical and molecular computational approaches for predicting electron transfer quantities were assessed, using an archetypal bridged ferrous-ferric electron transfer system in aqueous solution. The basis set effect on the magnitude of the electronic coupling matrix element computed using the quasi-diabatic method was carefully examined, and it was found that the error related to a poor basis set could exceed the thermal energy at room temperature. A range of approaches to determining the external (solvent) reorganization energy were also investigated. Significant improvements from the Marcus continuum model can be obtained by including dipolar Born-Kirkwood-Onsager correction. In this regard, we also found that Klamt's Conductor-Like Screening Model (COSMO) yields estimations of the external reorganization energy similar to those obtained with explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations if the fast-frequency modes are neglected, which makes it an attractive alternative to laborious umbrella sampling simulations. By using the COSMO model, we also confirm that a decrease in curvature of the potential energy surface is a manifestation of the dielectric saturation observed in the first solvation layer. The linearity of solvent response to the charge redistribution was assessed by analyzing the energy gap autocorrelation function as well as the solvent density and dipole moment fluctuations. Molecular dynamics was also used to evaluate the sign and magnitude of the solvent reorganization entropy and to determine its effect on the predicted electron transfer rate. Finally, we present a simple way of estimating the vibration frequency along the reaction coordinate, which also enables prediction of the mass-dependent isotopic signature of electron transfer reactions.     

Theoretical study of electron, proton, and proton-coupled electron transfer in iron bi-imidazoline complexes.

A comparative theoretical investigation of single electron transfer (ET), single proton transfer (PT), and proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions in iron bi-imidazoline complexes is presented. These calculations are motivated by experimental studies showing that the rates of ET and PCET are similar and are both slower than the rate of PT for these systems (Roth, J. P.; Lovel, S.; Mayer, J. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 5486). The theoretical calculations are based on a multistate continuum theory, in which the solute is described by a multistate valence bond model, the transferring hydrogen nucleus is treated quantum mechanically, and the solvent is represented as a dielectric continuum. For electronically nonadiabatic electron transfer, the rate expressions for ET and PCET depend on the inner-sphere (solute) and outer-sphere (solvent) reorganization energies and on the electronic coupling, which is averaged over the reactant and product proton vibrational wave functions for PCET. The small overlap of the proton vibrational wave functions localized on opposite sides of the proton transfer interface decreases the coupling for PCET relative to ET. The theory accurately reproduces the experimentally measured rates and deuterium kinetic isotope effects for ET and PCET. The calculations indicate that the similarity of the rates for ET and PCET is due mainly to the compensation of the smaller outer-sphere solvent reorganization energy for PCET by the larger coupling for ET. The moderate kinetic isotope effect for PCET arises from the relatively short proton transfer distance. The PT reaction is found to be dominated by solute reorganization (with very small solvent reorganization energy) and to be electronically adiabatic, leading to a fundamentally different mechanism that accounts for the faster rate.     

Coordination control of intramolecular electron transfer in boronate-bridged zinc porphyrin-diimide molecules

Three sets of dyads, in which a zinc-porphyrin (ZP) electron donor is connected to an aromatic diimide electron acceptor,either pyromellitimide (PI) or naphthalene-1,8:4,5-tetracarboxylic acid diimide (NI), via a boronate-ester bridge, a piperidine bridge, and a 1,3-dioxolane bridge, respectively, were prepared for the purpose of control of intramolecular electron transfer (ET) by acid-base reactions at the connecting bridge. Boronate-ester bridge is a Lewis acidic site and confers a chance to regulate intramolecular ET reaction upon base coordination. This has been demonstrated by suppression of photoinduced ET from ZP to PI or NI in highly electron-pair donating solvents or upon addition of a fluoride anion. To extend this strategy to control of ET-path selectivity, we prepared triad 18, which consists of a ZP donor bearing NI and PI acceptors at similar distances through a boronate-ester bridge and an acetal bridge, respectively. Photoexcitation of 18 in a free form led to intramolecular ET from (1)()ZP preferentially to NI, but the ET path was completely switched toward PI in F(-)-coordinated form without a serious drop in the rate, constituting a novel ET-switching molecular system.     

Redox control of photoinduced electron transfer in axial terpyridoxy porphyrin complexes

The photophysical properties of axial-bonding types (terpyridoxy)aluminum(III) porphyrin (Al(PTP)), bis(terpyridoxy)tin(IV) porphyrin (Sn(PTP) 2), and bis(terpyridoxy)phosphorus(V) porphyrin ([P(PTP) 2] (+)) are reported. Compared with their hydroxy analogues, the fluorescence quantum yields and singlet-state lifetimes were found to be lower for Sn(PTP) 2 and [P(PTP) 2] (+), whereas no difference was observed for Al(PTP). At low temperature, all of the compounds show spin-polarized transient electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra that are assigned to the lowest excited triplet state of the porphyrin populated by intersystem crossing. In contrast, at room temperature, a triplet radical-pair spectrum that decays to the porphyrin triplet state with a lifetime of 175 ns is observed for [P(PTP) 2] (+), whereas no spin-polarized TREPR spectrum is found for Sn(PTP) 2 and only the porphyrin triplet populated by intersystem crossing is seen for Al(PTP). These results clarify the role of the internal molecular structure and the reduction potential for electron transfer from the terpyridine ligand to the excited porphyrin. It is argued that the efficiency of this process is dependent on the oxidation state of the metal/metalloid present in the porphyrin and the reorganization energy of the solvent.     

Spectroscopic determination of proton position in the proton-coupled electron transfer pathways of donor-acceptor supramolecule assemblies

A homologous set of porphyrin derivatives possessing an isocyclic five-membered ring appended with an amidinium functionality has been used to examine proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) through well-characterized amidine-carboxylic acid interfaces. Conjugation between the porphyrin chromophore and the amidinium interface can be altered by selective reduction of the isocyclic ring of an amidinium-purpurin to produce an amidinium-chlorin. The highly conjugated amidinium-purpurin displays large spectral shifts in the visible region upon alteration of the amidinium/amidine protonation state; no such change is observed for the chlorin homologue. Analysis of the UV-vis absorption and emission profiles of the amidinium-purpurin upon deprotonation allows for the measurement of the porphyrinic-amidinium acidity constant for the ground state (pKa = 9.55 +/- 0.1 in CH3CN) and excited state (pKa)= 10.40 +/- 0.1 in CH3CN). The absorption spectrum of the purpurin also provides a convenient handle for determining the protonation state of assembled interfaces. In this way, the purpurin macrocycle provides a general tool for PCET studies because it can be used to determine the location of a proton within PCET interfaces formed from carboxylic acid electron acceptors including dinitrobenzenes (DNBs) and naphthalenediimide (NI), which have been used extensively in previous PCET studies. An amidine-carboxylic acid interface is observed for electron-rich acceptors, whereas the ionized amidinium-carboxylate interface is observed for electron-poor acceptors. The PCET kinetics for purpurin/chlorin associated to NI are consistent with an amidine-carboxylic acid interface, which is also verified spectrally.     

Photochromic control of photoinduced electron transfer. Molecular double-throw switch

A molecular double-throw switch that employs a photochromic moiety to direct photoinduced electron transfer from an excited state donor down either of two pathways has been prepared. The molecular triad consists of a free base porphyrin (P) linked to both a C(60) electron acceptor and a dihydroindolizine (DHI) photochrome. Excitation of the porphyrin moiety of DHI-P-C(60) results in photoinduced electron transfer with a time constant of 2.3 ns to give the DHI-P(*)(+)-C(60)(*)(-) charge-separated state with a quantum yield of 82%. UV (366 nm) light photoisomerizes the DHI moiety to the betaine (BT) form, which has a higher reduction potential than DHI. Excitation of the porphyrin of BT-P-C(60) is followed by photoinduced electron transfer with a time constant of 56 ps to produce BT(*)(-)-P(*)(+)-C(60) in 99% yield. Isomerization of BT-P-C(60) back to DHI-P-C(60) may be achieved with visible light, or thermally. Thus, photoinduced charge separation originating from the porphyrin is reversibly directed down either of two different pathways by photoisomerization of the dihydroindolizine. The switch may be cycled many times.     

The effect of complexation on the rates of electron transfer of iron porphyrins

A study has been made of the heterogeneous rate constants of iron porphyrins with pyridines and other nitrogenous base ligands. A direct relationship between the pK_a of the base and the rate constant has been found with a few exceptions. The measurements were by cyclic voltammetry. The larger the pK_a the stronger the complex between iron porphyrins and axial ligands. With strong ligands no ligand exchange or spin state change is expected. Both of these actions show the rate in agreement with the rates found in this work.     

Proton-promoted oxygen atom transfer vs proton-coupled electron transfer of a non-heme iron(IV)-oxo complex

Sulfoxidation of thioanisoles by a non-heme iron(IV)-oxo complex, [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), was remarkably enhanced by perchloric acid (70% HClO(4)). The observed second-order rate constant (k(obs)) of sulfoxidation of thioaniosoles by [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) increases linearly with increasing concentration of HClO(4) (70%) in acetonitrile (MeCN)at 298 K. In contrast to sulfoxidation of thioanisoles by [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+), the observed second-order rate constant (k(et)) of electron transfer from one-electron reductants such as [Fe(II)(Me(2)bpy)(3)](2+) (Me(2)bpy = 4,4-dimehtyl-2,2'-bipyridine) to [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) increases with increasing concentration of HClO(4), exhibiting second-order dependence on HClO(4) concentration. This indicates that the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) involves two protons associated with electron transfer from [Fe(II)(Me(2)bpy)(3)](2+) to [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) to yield [Fe(III)(Me(2)bpy)(3)](3+) and [(N4Py)Fe(III)(OH(2))](3+). The one-electron reduction potential (E(red)) of [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) in the presence of 10 mM HClO(4) (70%) in MeCN is determined to be 1.43 V vs SCE. A plot of E(red) vs log[HClO(4)] also indicates involvement of two protons in the PCET reduction of [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+). The PCET driving force dependence of log k(et) is fitted in light of the Marcus theory of outer-sphere electron transfer to afford the reorganization of PCET (λ = 2.74 eV). The comparison of the k(obs) values of acid-promoted sulfoxidation of thioanisoles by [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) with the k(et) values of PCET from one-electron reductants to [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) at the same PCET driving force reveals that the acid-promoted sulfoxidation proceeds by one-step oxygen atom transfer from [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) to thioanisoles rather than outer-sphere PCET.     

Effect of pressure on proton-coupled electron transfer reactions of seven-coordinate iron complexes in aqueous solutions

For the first time, the effect of pressure on proton-coupled electron-transfer reactions of two selected seven-coordinate FeIII/II(H2L)(H2O)2 systems [where H2L = 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis(semicarbazone) and 2,6-diacetylpyridine-bis(semioxamazide), respectively] was examined. The acid-base equilibria of the different Fe(III/II) systems were investigated by spectrophotometric, potentiometric, and electrochemical titrations. On the basis of the obtained species distributions, the pH intervals in which the different protonated forms of the two studied systems exist were defined. In different pH ranges, a different number of protons (from 0 to 3 protons per electron) can be transferred during the redox process, which affects the change in the overall charge on the complexes. For all the different protonation forms of the studied complexes, the change in the redox potentials with pressure was measured and the redox reaction volume was obtained by high-pressure cyclic voltammetry. The results show that in the case of proton-coupled electron transfer, the reaction volume for the neutralization of protons contributes to the overall reaction volume. A linear correlation between Deltaz2 (change in the square of the charge) and the overall reaction volume of the complexes upon reduction, DeltaVcomplex0, was found. The average value of the intrinsic volume change for the selected seven-coordinate iron complexes was estimated from the intercept of the plot of DeltaVcomplex0 versus Deltaz2 to be 9.2 +/- 0.7 cm3 mol(-1). For the combined redox and protonation processes, the data are discussed in terms of linear correlations between Deltaz2 and the redox and neutralization reaction volumes reported in the literature.     

Wavelength-dependent electron and energy transfer pathways in a side-to-face ruthenium porphyrin/perylene bisimide assembly

A new side-to-face supramolecular array of chromophores, where a pyridyl-substituted perylene bisimide dye axially binds to two ruthenium porphyrin fragments, has been prepared by self-assembly. The array is formulated as DPyPBI[Ru(TPP)(CO)](2), where DPyPBI = N,N'-di(4-pyridyl)-1,6,7,12-tetra(4-tert-butylphenoxy)perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide and TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin. The photophysical behavior of DPyPBI[Ru(TPP)(CO)](2) has been studied by fast (nanoseconds) and ultrafast (femtoseconds) time-resolved techniques. The observed behavior sharply changes with excitation wavelength, depending on whether the DPyPBI or Ru(TPP)(CO) units are excited. After DPyPBI excitation, the strong fluorescence typical of this unit is completely quenched, and time-resolved spectroscopy reveals the occurrence of photoinduced electron transfer from the ruthenium porphyrin to the perylene bisimide dye (tau = 5.6 ps) followed by charge recombination (tau = 270 ps). Upon excitation of the Ru(TPP)(CO) fragments, on the other hand, ultrafast (tau < 1 ps) intersystem crossing is followed by triplet energy transfer from the ruthenium porphyrin to the perylene bisimide dye (tau = 720 ps). The perylene-based triplet state decays to the ground state on a longer time scale (tau = 9.8 micros). The photophysics of this supramolecular array provides remarkable examples of (i) wavelength-dependent behavior (a small change in excitation wavelength causes a sharp switch from electron to energy transfer) and (ii) intramolecular sensitization (the triplet state of the perylene bisimide, inaccessible in the free dye, is efficiently populated in the array).     

Concatenation of reversible electronic energy transfer and photoinduced electron transfer to control a molecular piston

Reversible electronic energy transfer and photoinduced electron transfer conspire in the light-driven dethreading of a molecular piston, showing the potential of combining these processes in supramolecular systems.     

Carbenoid transfer in competing reactions catalyzed by ruthenium complexes

Aiming at improving catalyst activity, ten ruthenium promoters have been investigated in carbenoid transfer from ethyl diazoacetate to styrene as a model substrate. Optimal selectivity in cyclopropanation has been attained with the new NHC–Ru complex 10 , as well as with the Fischer carbene 7 . The surprising non‐metathetical behavior of the Grubbs’ first‐generation catalyst in this multifaceted process is highlighted. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of electron transfer processes in the oxidation of aryl sulfides catalyzed by nonheme iron complexes

ABSTRACT

The oxidation of a series of aryl 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl sulfides with H₂O₂ catalyzed by the two tetradentate nonheme-iron complexes [(PDP)Fe^II(SbF₆)₂] and [(BPMCN)Fe^II(OTf)₂] occurs by an electron transfer-oxygen transfer (ET/OT) mechanism as supported by the observation of products deriving from fragmentation of the corresponding radical cations in association with S-oxidation products (sulfoxides).     

Allylstannane photoadditions to iminium salts. Efficiencies of sequential electron transfer destannation versus desilylation pathways

Electron transfer induced, photoadditions of allyltins to 1-methyl-2-phenyl-1-pyrrolinium perchlorates have been probed. The quantum efficiencies of these processes are larger that for photoaddition of the corresponding allylsilane.     

Investigation of the pathways of excess electron transfer in DNA with flavin-donor and oxetane-acceptor modified DNA hairpins

Oxetane is a potential intermediate that is enzymatically formed during the repair of (6-4) DNA lesions by special repair enzymes (6-4 DNA photolyases). These enzymes use a reduced and deprotonated flavin to cleave the oxetane by single electron donation. Herein we report synthesis of DNA hairpin model compounds containing a flavin as the hairpin head and two different oxetanes in the stem structure of the hairpin. The data show that the electron moves through the duplex even over distances of 17 A. Attempts to trap the moving electron with N2O showed no reduction of the cleavage efficiency showing that the electron moves through the duplex and not through solution. The electron transfer is sequence dependent. The efficiency is reduced by a factor of 2 in GC rich DNA hairpins.     

Stepwise vs. concerted pathways in scandium ion-coupled electron transfer from superoxide ion to p-benzoquinone derivatives

Superoxide ion (O2˙-) forms a stable 1 : 1 complex with scandium hexamethylphosphoric triamide complex [Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+)], which can be detected in solution by ESR spectroscopy. Electron transfer from O2˙- -Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) complex to a series of p-benzoquinone derivatives occurs, accompanied by binding of Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) to the corresponding semiquinone radical anion complex to produce the semiquinone radical anion-Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) complexes. The 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes between semiquinone radical anions and Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) depending on the type of semiquinone radical anions were detected by ESR measurements. This is defined as Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+)-coupled electron transfer. There are two reaction pathways in the Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+)-coupled electron transfer. One is a stepwise pathway in which the binding of Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) to semiquinone radical anions occurs after the electron transfer, when the rate of electron transfer remains constant with the change in concentration of Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+). The other is a concerted pathway in which electron transfer and the binding of Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) occurs in a concerted manner, when the rates of electron transfer exhibit first-order and second-order dependence on the concentration of Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) depending the number of Sc(HMPA)(3)(3+) (one and two) bound to semiquinone radical anions. The contribution of two pathways changes depending on the substituents on p-benzoquinone derivatives. The present study provides the first example to clarify the kinetics and mechanism of metal ion-coupled electron-transfer reactions of the superoxide ion.