Iron sulfur clusters in benzoyl–CoA reductase

The enzyme benzoyl-CoA reductase (BCR) has been studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy in fields up to 7 T and at temperature down to 4.2 K. It has been shown that the oxidized BCR contains three diamagnetic [4Fe-4S]²⁺ centers. Treatment of BCR with dithionite or deazaflavin reduces only one of the three centers from [4Fe-4S]²⁺ to [4Fe-4S]¹⁺. The latter exhibits Mössbauer spectra at 4.2 K in applied fields characteristic for Fe^2.5+Fe^2.5+ (S=9/2) and Fe²⁺Fe²⁺ (S=4) pairs, both coupled antiferromagnetically to total spin S=1/2.     

Dimeric Fe (II, III) complex of quinoneoxime as functional model of PAP enzyme: Mössbauer, magneto-structural and DNA cleavage studies

Purple acid phosphatase, (PAP), is known to contain dinuclear Fe₂ ^?+?2,?+?3 site with characteristic Fe^?+?3 ← Tyr ligand to metal charge transfer in coordination. Phthiocoloxime (3-methyl-2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-1-oxime) ligand L, mimics (His/Tyr) ligation with controlled and unique charge transfers resulting in valence tautomeric coordination with mixed valent diiron site in model compound Fe-1: [μ-OH-Fe₂ ^?+?2,?+?3 (o-NQ_CH3ox) (o-NSQ_CH3ox)₂ (CAT) H₂O]. Fe-2: [Fe^?+?3(o-NQ_CH3ox) (p-NQ_CH3ox)₂]₂ a molecularly associated dimer of phthiocoloxime synthesized for comparison of charge transfer. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer studies was used to quantitize unusual valences due to ligand in dimeric Fe-1 and Fe-2 complexes which are supported by EPR and SQUID studies. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra for Fe-1 at 300 K indicates the presence of two quadrupole split asymmetric doublets due to the differences in local coordination geometries of [Fe^?+?3]_A and [Fe^?+?2]_B sites. The hyperfine interaction parameters are δ _A = 0.152, (ΔE _Q)_A = 0.598 mm/s with overlapping doublet at δ _B = 0.410 and (ΔE _Q)_B = 0.468 mm/s. Due to molecular association tendency of ligand, dimer Fe-2 possesses 100% Fe^?+?3(h.s.) hexacoordinated configuration with isomer shift δ = 0.408 mm/s. Slightly distorted octahedral symmetry created by NQ_CH3ox ligand surrounding Fe^?+?3(h.s.) state generates small field gradient indicated by quadrupole split ΔE _Q = 0.213 mm/s. Decrease of isomer shifts together with variation of quadrupole splits with temperature in Fe-1 dimer compared to Fe-2 is result of charge transfers in [Fe₂ ^?+?2,?+?3 SQ] complexes. EPR spectrum of Fe-1 shows two strong signals at g ₁ = 4.17 and g ₂ = 2.01 indicative of S = 3/2 spin state with an intermediate spin of Fe^?+?3(h.s.) configuration. SQUID data of $\chi _m^{{\rm corr}} \mbox{.T}$ were best fitted by using HDVV spin pair model S = 2, 3/2 resulting in antiferromagnetic exchange (J = ?13.5 cm^???1 with an agreement factor of R = 1.89 × 10^???5). The lower J value of antiferromagnetic exchange leads to Fe⁺³μ-(OH) Fe^?+?2 bridging in Fe-1 dimer instead of μ-oxo bridge. The intermolecular association through H-bonds may lead to weakly coupled antiferromagnetic interaction between two Fe-2 molecules having Fe^?+?3(h.s.) centers. Using S = 5/2, 5/2 spin pair model we obtained best-fitted parameters such as J = ?12.4 cm^???1, g = 2.3 with R = 3.58 × 10^???5. Synthetic strategy results in non-equivalent iron sites in Fe-1 dimer analogues to PAP enzyme hence its reconstitution results in pUC-19 DNA cleavage activity, as physiological functionality of APase. It is compared with nuclease activity of Fe-2 RAPase.     

Fe2+ spin transition in [Fe(trz)(Htrz)2](BF4) as evidenced by a variable temperature EPR study

The EPR of Fe³⁺ ions has been used for the first time to evidence a low-spin (S=0) to high-spin (S=2) transition of Fe²⁺ ions in an octahedral ferrous complex [Fe(trz)(Htrz)₂](BF₄). The temperature dependence of the intensity of the Fe³⁺ EPR line atg=4.3 reveals a spin transition which occurs for the Fe²⁺ ions, with hysteresis. The transition temperatures areT _c↑=374 K in the warming mode andT _c↓=345 K in the cooling mode. The analysis of the EPR spectral data indicates the presence of a structural phase transition accompanying the spin transition.     

Single-Crystal Fe Q-Band ENDOR Study of the 4 Iron–4 Sulfur Cluster in its Reduced [4Fe–4S] State

⁵⁷Fe Q-band ENDOR has been used to study the [4Fe–4S]¹⁺ state created by γ irradiation of single crystals of the synthetic model compound [N(C₂H₅)₄]₂[Fe₄S₄(SCH₂C₆H₅)₄] enriched in ⁵⁷Fe. This compound is an excellent biomimetic model of the active sites of many 4 iron–4 sulfur proteins, enabling detailed and systematic studies of its oxidized [4Fe–4S]³⁺ and reduced [4Fe–4S]¹⁺ paramagnetic states. Taking advantage of the fact that Q-band ENDOR, in contrast with X-Band ENDOR, allows for a very good separation of the ⁵⁷Fe transitions from those of the protons, the complete hyperfine tensors of the four iron atoms for the [4Fe–4S]¹⁺ species has been measured with precision. For each iron atom, the electron orbital and electron spin isotropic contributions have been determined separately. Moreover, it is remarkable that two ⁵⁷Fe hyperfine tensors attributed to the ferrous pair of iron atoms are very different. In effect, one tensor presents a much larger anisotropic part and a much smaller isotropic part than those of the other. This difference has been interpreted in terms of a differential electron orbital hyperfine interaction among the two ferrous ions.     

First-principles electronic-structure calculation on the spin distribution and the half-metallic properties of the mixed valence iron compound Ba2F2Fe1.5S3

The first principles within the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) approach were applied to study the new mixed valence compound Ba₂F₂Fe_1.5S₃. The density of states, the electronic band structure and the spin magnetic moment are calculated. The calculations reveal that the compound has an antiferromagnetic interaction between the Fe^III and Fe^II ions arising from the bridging S atoms, which validate the experimental assumptions that there is a low-dimensional antiferromagnetic interaction in Ba₂F₂Fe_1.5S₃. The spin magnetic moment mainly comes from the Fe^III and Fe^II ions with smaller contribution from S anion. By analysis of the band structure, we find that the compound has half-metallic property.     

Study on the ferromagnetic state in iron mixed-valence complexes, A[FeIIFeIII(dto)3] (A = (n-CnH2n + 1)4N; dto = C2S2O2) by means of Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have investigated the ferromagnetic states for (n-C_nH_2n?+?1)₄N[Fe^IIFe^III(dto)₃] (n = 3–6; dto = C₂O₂S₂) by means of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The major component of the spin configuration in the ferromagnetic states for n = 3 and 4 is the low-temperature phase (LTP) with the Fe^III (S = 5/2) and Fe^II (S = 0) states. The high-temperature phase (HTP) of n = 4 remains by more than 20%, which is consistent with two ferromagnetic transitions (T_C = 7 & 13 K). Moreover, it was revealed that the Mössbauer spectra in the ferromagnetic states for n = 5 and 6 correspond to the HTP consisting of the Fe^II (S = 2) and Fe^III (S = 1/2) states.     

First-principles prediction of coexistence of magnetism and ferroelectricity in rhombohedral Bi2FeTiO6

First principles calculations based on the density functional theory within the local spin density approximation plus U(LSDA + U) scheme, show rhombohedral Bi₂FeTiO₆ is a potential multiferroic in which the magnetism and ferroelectricity coexist. A ferromagnetic configuration with magnetic moment of 4μB per formula unit has been reported with respect to the minimum total energy. Spontaneous polarization of 27.3 μC/cm², caused mainly by the ferroelectric distortions of Ti, was evaluated using the berry phase approach in the modern theory of polarization. The Bi-6s stereochemical activity of long-pair and the ‘d⁰-ness’ criterion in off-centring of Ti were coexisting in the predicted new system. In view of the oxidation state of Bi³⁺, Fe²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, and O²⁻ from the orbital-resolved density of states of the Bi-6p, Fe-3d, Ti-3d, and O-2p states, the valence state of Bi₂FeTiO₆ in the rhombohedral phase was found to be Bi³⁺₂Fe²⁺Ti⁴⁺O₆.     

Electron spin resonance and optical identification of Fe4+-V0 in SrTiO3

The electron spin resonance of the minority defect Fe⁴⁺-V₀ has been observed in SrTiO₃. It is the first pair center identified with a two-fold positive charge with respect to the lattice. For Fe⁴⁺ it occurs in the unusual high spin S = 2 state. Optically-induced conversion to the neighbor Fe³⁺-V₀ charge state served to identify the acceptor transfer bands, showing the potentiality of the conversion-rate method.     

Study of [Fe(pyim)3] complexes: dynamic spin equilibrium on encapsulation in zeolite Y

Tris complex of Fe^II2(2′-pyridyl)imidazole has been encapsulated in the supercages of zeolite Y and characterized by using powder XRD, FTIR, Mössbauer spectroscopy, variable temperature magnetization and MAS NMR techniques and results have been compared with those obtained for this complex with ClO₄⁻ and SO₄²⁻ as anions. At room temperature, the [Fe(pyim)₃](ClO₄)₂ complex exhibited low spin state, while [Fe^II(pyim)₃]SO₄ exhibited the existence of both low and high spin states. The encapsulated [Fe^II(pyim)₃]²⁺ complex exhibited a broad quadrupole doublet characterized by isomer shift, δ=+0.55 mm/s and quadrupole splitting ΔE_q=1.26 mm/s. The magnetization measurements carried out for the encapsulated [Fe^II(pyim)₃]²⁺ complex showed a systematic decrease in its values with decreasing temperature down to 75 K with no indication of thermal hysteresis effects. These results suggest the existence of a dynamic spin state equilibrium between the high and low spin states for the encapsulated [Fe^II(pyim)₃]²⁺ complex with time constant comparable to the characteristic Mössbauer time scale of ⁵⁷Fe nuclei.     

Investigation by EPR and ENDOR spectroscopy of the novel 4Fe ferredoxin fromPyrococcus furiosus

The hyperthermophilic archaeonPyrococcus furiosus contains a four-Fe ferredoxin (Pf- Fd) that differs from most other 4Fe-Fd’s in that its [Fe₄S₄] cluster is anchored to protein by only three cysteinyl residues.Pf- Fd also is of interest because in its reduced form, [Fe₄S₄]⁺, the cluster exhibits bothS = 1/2 andS = 3/2 spin states. Addition of excess cyanide ion converts the cluster exclusively to anS = 1/2 state (g₁ = 2.09, g₂ = 1.95, g₃ = 1.92), however dialysis restores the EPR signal of native reduced protein indicating that the cluster is not irreversibly altered by cyanide. Both the native protein and protein in the presence of excess cyanide ion (Pf- Fd 4Fe-CN) were investigated here using the techniques of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. In particular,Pf- Fd 4Fe-CN was investigated using¹³CN^? and C¹⁵N^? ligands.¹³C and¹⁵N ENDOR indicated that a single cyanide ion bound directly, with the cluster showing an unusually small contact interaction (a_iso(¹³C)～ ?3 MHz, a_iso(¹⁵N) ～ 0). This is in contrast to cyanide bound to monomeric low-spin Fe(III)-containing proteins such as transferrin and myoglobin, for which the¹³C hyperfine coupling has a large isotropic component (a_iso(¹³C) ≈ ?30 MHz). This small contact interaction is not due to low spin density of Fe, as⁵⁷Fe ENDOR of the singly and triply labeledPf- Fd 4FeCN isotopologs, [⁵⁷FeFe₃S₄]⁺ and [Fe⁵⁷Fe₃S₄]⁺, show hyperfine coupling characteristic for [Fe₄S₄]⁺ clusters, particularly for the Fe to which cyanide binds. Thus, the low spin density on¹³C is not due to low spin density on the Fe ion to which it binds. Further theoretical work is needed to explain the contrast between the strong electronic effect of cyanide ion binding with the low spin density on the ligand.     

Magnetic and electrical properties of Fe<Subscript>1.91</Subscript>V<Subscript>0.09</Subscript>BO<Subscript>4</Subscript> warwickite

We have performed a complex investigation of the structure and the magnetic and electrical properties of a warwickite single crystal with the composition Fe_1.91V_0.09BO₄. The results of Mössbauer measurements at T=300 K indicate that there exist “localized” (Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺) and “delocalized” (Fe_2.5+) states distributed over two crystallographically nonequivalent positions. The results of magnetic measurements show that warwickite is a P-type ferrimagnet below T=130 K. The material exhibits hopping conductivity involving strongly interacting electrons. The experimental data are analyzed in comparison to the properties of the initial (unsubstituted) Fe₂BO₄ warwickite. The entire body of data on the electric conductivity and magnetization are interpreted on a qualitative basis.     

Real space renormalization group approach to the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model (I) – The singlet triplet gap

The low energy behaviour of the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model is studied in the sector with total spins S = 0,1,2 by means of a renormalization group procedure, which generates a recursion formula for the interaction matrix Δ_S ⁽ⁿ⁺¹⁾ of 4 neighbouring “n clusters” of size 2ⁿ × 2ⁿ, n = 1,2,3,... from the corresponding quantities Δ_S ⁽ⁿ⁾. Conservation of total spin S is implemented explicitly and plays an important role. It is shown, how the ground state energies E_S ⁽ⁿ⁺¹⁾, S = 0,1,2 approach each other for increasing n, i.e. system size. The most relevant couplings in the interaction matrices are generated by the transitions 〈S’,m’;n+1|S_q ^*|S,m;n+1〉 between the ground states |S,m;n+1〉 (m = -S,...,S) on an (n+1)-cluster of size 2ⁿ⁺¹ × 2ⁿ⁺¹, mediated by the staggered spin operator S_q ^*.     

Valence-delocalization of the mixed-valence oxo-centered trinuclear iron propionates [Fe 2 III FeIIO(C2H5CO2)6(py)3]npy;n=0, 1.5

Mixed-valence trinuclear iron propionates [Fe ₂ ^III Fe^IIO(C₂H₅CO₂)₆(py)₃]npy, wheren=0, 1.5, were synthesized and the structure of the pyridine-solvated complex was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Mössbauer spectra of the solvated propionate complex showed a temperature-dependent mixed-valence state related to phase transitions, reaching an almost delocalized valence state at room temperature. On the other hand, the non-solvated propionate showed a remarkable change of the spectral shape related to a phase transition, remaining in a localized valence state at higher temperatures up to room temperature.     

Transport through artificial single-molecule magnets: Spin-pair state sequential tunneling and Kondo effects

The transport properties of an artificial single-molecule magnet based on a CdTe quantum dot doped with a single Mn+2 ion(S=5/2) are investigated by the non-equilibrium Green function method.We consider a minimal model where the Mn-hole exchange coupling is strongly anisotropic so that spin-flip is suppressed and the impurity spin S and a hole spin s entering the quantum dot are coupled into spin pair states with(2S+1) sublevels.In the sequential tunneling regime,the differential conductance exhibits(2S+1) possible peaks,corresponding to resonance tunneling via(2S+1) sublevels.At low temperature,Kondo physics dominates transport and(2S+1) Kondo peaks occur in the local density of states and conductance.These peaks originate from the spin-singlet state formed by the holes in the leads and on the dot via higher-order processes and are related to the parallel and antiparallel spin pair states.     

On the Valence State of Iron in Sr0.52+Ca0.52+Fe0.54+ Me0.54+O32−

Powder samples of Sr_0.5Ca_0.5Fe_0.5Me_0.5O₃ (Me = Co, Zr or Mn) and Sr_0.3La_0.7FeO₃ are investigated by X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer effect spectroscopy. Analysis of the completely ordered spectra suggested three kinds of iron ions coexist in general where the resolution into the different valence state is clearly seen. The Mössbauer effect parameters values are found to be close to those expected for Fe³⁺, Fe⁴⁺ and Fe⁵⁺ indicating that some of the tetravalent iron ions in its high spin state disproportionate into Fe³⁺ and Fe⁵⁺ ions passing through temperature dependent intermediate valence states.     

Spin populations and free valences in excited molecules and in radicals

Using the DFT PBE0 quantum-chemical method, we have determined the spin populations and the free valences of atoms in (i) 3,4-dimethylenefuran; (ii) exciplex 3,4-dimethylenefuran · O₂; (iii) phthalocyaninates PcCu and PcCo; (iv) cations Pc⁺Cu, Pc⁺Co, and Pc⁺Ni; (v) dication [PcAlOAlPc]²⁺; and (vi) two excited triplet diketones: fulleroid-type C₅₈(CO)₂ and cyclododeca-3,4,9,10-tetraene-1,7-dione. Free valences determine atomic contributions to the doubled variance of the many-electron spin. Unlike spin populations, they are insensitive to the choice of the component of a quasi-degenerate spin state of a chemical compound and account for the regioselectivity of the radical addition to 3,4-dimethylenefuran and the photochemical stability of Pc-containing nanosystems. In a triplet state of C¹²H₁₂O₂, the spin density and the free valence are localized on a single carbonyl group, whereas, in a triplet state of C₅₈(CO)₂, they are delocalized.     

EPR spectra of Fe centers in layered TlGaSe2 single crystal

A single-crystal TlGaSe₂ doped by paramagnetic Fe ions has been studied at room temperature by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. The fine structure of EPR spectra of paramagnetic Fe³⁺ ions was observed. The spectra were interpreted to correspond to the transitions among spin multiplet (S=5/2, L=0) of Fe³⁺ ion, which are splitted by the local ligand crystal field (CF) of orthorhombic symmetry. Four equivalent Fe³⁺ centers have been observed in the EPR spectra and the local symmetry of crystal field at the Fe³⁺ site and CF parameters were determined. Experimental results indicate that the Fe ions substitute Ga at the center of GaSe₄ tetrahedrons, and the rhombic distortion of the CF is caused by the Tl ions located in the trigonal cavities between the tetrahedral complexes.     

Mössbauer studies of exchange coupled cluster assemblies in biological systems

Biological systems have evolved active sites containing [4Fe-4S]²⁺ clusters covalently linked to a mononuclear Fe or Ni or to a diiron cluster. Such structures have been found in sulfite reductase, carbonmonoxide dehydrogenases and most recently in [Fe]-hydrogenases. The link through a bridging ligand provides an exchange pathway that couples the spins of the two chromophores. In this contribution the spin physics of these systems as viewed from a standpoint of Mössbauer spectroscopy is discussed.     

Effect of indium addition on the structure and magnetic properties of YIG

In this work we report the structure and magnetic properties of a series of single-phase indium-substituted yttrium iron garnet (In-YIG) nanoparticles with nominal composition of Y₃In_xFe_5−xO₁₂ (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) prepared by conventional mixed oxide route. Based on XRD results, the lattice parameters of the samples increased with increase in In³⁺ content due to its larger ionic radius. Mössbauer results confirmed the substitution of In³⁺ for Fe³⁺ in [a] site of YIG structure. Further, the magnitudes of the magnetic hyperfine field (MHF) were seen to reduce due to indium substitution. Moreover, a rising trend was observed for saturation magnetization (M_S) of the samples with x>0.2 owing to the substitution of non-magnetic In³⁺ for Fe³⁺. However, the observed initial drop of M_S for the sample with x=0.2 compared to that with x=0.1 is possibly attributed to the dominance of spin canting over the net magnetization rise caused by In³⁺ in [a] sites.     

X-ray absorption and Mössbauer spectra,and microwave absorption of (Co,Mn)-doped SrFe12O19 hexaferrites

Polycrystalline SrCo_1·2Fe_10·8O₁₉ (SCFO) and SrMn_1·2Fe_10·8O₁₉ (SMFO) samples were prepared by the normal ceramic technique. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the crystallization in the M-type hexaferrite structure of the samples. X-ray absorption analyses proved Co²⁺ and Mn^3+,4+ ions existing in SCFO and SMFO, respectively. Though Fe³⁺ is dominant in both the compounds, small amounts of Fe²⁺ and Fe⁴⁺ are present in SCFO and SMFO, respectively. Mössbauer spectra analyses also confirmed the dominance of Fe³⁺ in both the samples. Additionally, Fe³⁺ ions in the 12 k, 4f₁, 4f₂, and 2a sites could be attributed to the high-spin state (S = 5/2). A large QS value for the sextet assigned to the 2b site indicated that in this case Fe³⁺ could be in the low-spin state (S = 1/2) or there was the addition of Fe²⁺ (or Fe⁴⁺) when Fe in SrFe₁₂O₁₉ was partially replaced by Co²⁺ (or Mn^3+,4+). The mixture of transition-metal ions with different oxidation states influenced the magnetic properties and microwave shielding ability. At frequencies f = 10–18 GHz, we have found SCFO showing the lowest reflection loss with RL = −11.1 dB at 13.2 GHz and the thickness t = 2.2 mm. With an absorption bandwidth of 0.7 GHz, and about 92% microwave energy being absorbed, SCFO is considered as a potential candidate for microwave shielding applications.