UV resonance Raman studies on the activation mechanism of human hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase by a divalent cation, Mg

The Mg²⁺ ion-assisted activation mechanism of the active site Tyr8 of a human hematopoietic prostaglandin D₂ synthase (H-PGDS) was studied by ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy. Addition of Mg²⁺ to the native H-PGDS at pH 8.0 resulted in the Y8a Raman band of Tyr8 shifting from 1615 cm⁻¹ to 1600 cm⁻¹. This large shift to lower energy of the tyrosine Y8a vibrational mode is caused by the deprotonation of the tyrosine phenol group promoted by binding of Mg²⁺. Upon subsequent addition of glutathione (GSH), the Mg²⁺/H-PGDS solution showed the Tyr8 Raman band shifted to 1611 cm⁻¹, which is 11 cm⁻¹ higher than the frequency of the Mg²⁺ complex of H-PGDS, but 4 cm⁻¹ lower than the Mg²⁺ free enzyme. These UVRR observations suggest that the deprotonated Tyr8 in the presence of Mg²⁺ is re-protonated by the abstraction of H⁺ from the thiol group of GSH, and that the re-protonated Tyr8 species forms a hydrogen bond with the thiolate anion of GSH. Density functional theory calculations on several model complexes of p-cresol were also performed, which suggested that the pK_a and vibrational frequencies of the Tyr8 phenol group are affected by the degree and structure of hydration of the Tyr8 residue.     

Spectroscopic studies of the chlorophyll d containing photosystem I from the cyanobacterium, Acaryochloris marina

Absorbance difference spectroscopy and redox titrations have been applied to investigate the properties of photosystem I from the chlorophyll d containing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina. At room temperature, the (P740⁺ − P740) and (F_A/B⁻ − F_A/B) absorbance difference spectra were recorded in the range between 300 and 1000 nm while at cryogenic temperatures, (P740⁺A₁⁻ − P740A₁) and (³P740 − P740) absorbance difference spectra have been measured. Spectroscopic and kinetic evidence is presented that the cofactors involved in the electron transfer from the reduced secondary electron acceptor, phylloquinone (A₁⁻), to the terminal electron acceptor and their structural arrangement are virtually identical to those of chlorophyll a containing photosystem I. The oxidation potential of the primary electron donor P740 of photosystem I has been reinvestigated. We find a midpoint potential of 450 ± 10 mV in photosystem I-enriched membrane fractions as well as in thylakoids which is very similar to that found for P700 in chlorophyll a dominated organisms. In addition, the extinction difference coefficient for the oxidation of the primary donor has been determined and a value of 45,000 ± 4000 M^− 1 cm^− 1 at 740 nm was obtained. Based on this value the ratio of P740 to chlorophyll is calculated to be 1:~ 200 chlorophyll d in thylakoid membranes. The consequences of our findings for the energetics in photosystem I of A. marina are discussed as well as the pigment stoichiometry and spectral characteristics of P740.     

Effect of high external pressures on the vibrational spectra of crystalline dichloro(1,5-cycloctadiene)platinum(II), Pt(η-C8H12)Cl2

The effects of high external pressures on the principal IR and Raman bands of crystalline dichloro(1,5-cycloctadiene)platinum(II), Pt(COD)Cl₂ (COD = η⁴-C₈H₁₂), have been investigated for pressures up to ∼30 kbar by diamond-anvil cell microspectroscopy. This square-planar Pt(II) complex does not undergo any pressure-induced structural change throughout the pressure range investigated and the pressure dependences (dν/dP) for the vibrational modes range from −0.18 to 0.79 cm⁻¹ kbar⁻¹. The negative dν/dP value observed for the IR band at 1426 cm⁻¹ (−0.18 cm⁻¹ kbar⁻¹) suggests that this band is chiefly associated with a CC stretching mode of the Pt-COD group. This observation provides yet another indication that high-pressure vibrational spectroscopy may indeed be a general method for establishing the presence of π-backbonding in organometallic complexes, such as metal carbonyls and alkenes.     

Balance between ultrafast parallel reactions in the green fluorescent protein has a structural origin

The fluorescence photocycle of the green fluorescent protein is functionally dependent on the specific structural protein environment. A direct relationship between equilibrium protein side-chain conformation of glutamate 222 and reactivity is established, particularly the rate of ultrafast proton transfer reactions in the fluorescence photocycle. We show that parallel transformations in the photocycle have a structural origin, and we report on the vibrational properties of responsive amino acids on an ultrafast timescale. Blue excitation of GFP drives two parallel, excited-state deuteron transfer reactions with 10 ps and 75 ps time constants to the buried carboxylic acid side chain of glutamate 222 via a hydrogen-bonding network. Assignment of 1456 cm⁻¹ and 1441 cm⁻¹ modes to ν_sym and assignment of 1564 cm⁻¹ and 1570 cm⁻¹ features to ν_asym of E222 in the 10 ps and 75 ps components, respectively, was possible from the analysis of the transient absorption data of an E222D mutant and was consistent with photoselection measurements. In contrast to the wild-type, measurements of E222D can be described with only one difference spectrum, with the ν_sym mode at 1435 cm⁻¹ and the ν_asym mode at 1567 cm⁻¹, also correlating a large Δν_asym-sym with slow excited-state proton transfer kinetics. Density Functional Theory calculations and published model compound and theoretical studies relate differences in Δν_asym-sym to the strength and number of hydrogen-bonding interactions that are detected via equilibrium geometry and COO⁻ stretching frequency differences of the carboxylate. The correlation of photocycle kinetics with side-chain conformation of the acceptor suggests that proton transfer from S205 to E222 controls the rate of the overall excited-state proton transfer process, which is consistent with recent theoretical predictions. Photoselection measurements show agreement for localized CO vibrations of chromophore, Q69, and E222 with Density Functional Theory and ab initio calculations placed in the x-ray geometry and provide their vibrational response in the intermediates in the photocycle.     

Ferromagnetic coupling by the spin-polarization mechanism in a trinuclear V triplesalen complex

The first trinuclear vanadium complex [(talen^t-Bu₂)(V^IVO)₃] (1) of a triple tetradentate triplesalen ligand has been synthesized and characterized. The triplesalen ligand (talen^t-Bu₂)^6- provides three salen-like coordination environments bridged in a meta-phenylene arrangement by a phloroglucinol backbone. In the electronic absorption spectrum of 1 all four ligand field transitions are detected below 21 400 cm⁻¹. The region above 23 000 cm⁻¹ is dominated by strong absorption from imine π → π^∗ and ligand-to-ligand CT transitions. The latter may also be described by a combined phenolate-to-vanadium LMCT and vanadium-to-imine MLCT through the empty metal d orbitals in a push-pull type interaction. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal a ferromagnetic coupling of the three V^IVO units in the triplesalen complex with J = +0.44 cm⁻¹. The correlation of the electronic structure to the weakness of the ferromagnetic coupling by the spin-polarization mechanism in the trinuclear VO system is discussed.     

Structure and magnetic properties of a tetranuclear Cu4O4 open-cubane in [Cu(L)]4·4H2O with L = (E)-N′-(2-oxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide

The in-situ formed hydrazone Schiff base ligand (E)-N′-(2-oxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide (L²⁻) reacts with copper(II) acetate to a tetranuclear open cubane [Cu(L)]₄ complex which crystallizes as two symmetry-independent (Z′ = 2) S₄-symmetrical molecules in different twofold special positions with a homodromic water tetramer. The two independent (A and B) open- or pseudo-cubanes with Cu₄O₄ cores of 4 + 2 class (Ruiz classification) each have three different magnetic exchange pathways leading to an overall antiferromagnetic coupling with J_1B = J_2B = −17.2 cm⁻¹, J_1A = −36.7 cm⁻¹, J_2A = −159 cm⁻¹, J_3A = J_3B = 33.5 cm⁻¹, g = 2.40 and ρ = 0.0687. The magnetic properties have been analysed using the H = −Σ_i,jJ_ij(S_iS_j) spin Hamiltonian.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence in the leaves of Tradescantia species of different ecological groups: Induction events at different intensities of actinic light

Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis is one of the most convenient and widespread techniques used to monitor photosynthesis performance in plants. In this work, after a brief overview of the mechanisms of regulation of photosynthetic electron transport and protection of photosynthetic apparatus against photodamage, we describe results of our study of the effects of actinic light intensity on photosynthetic performance in Tradescantia species of different ecological groups. Using the chlorophyll fluorescence as a probe of photosynthetic activity, we have found that the shade-tolerant species Tradescantia fluminensis shows a higher sensitivity to short-term illumination (≤20 min) with low and moderate light (≤200 μE m⁻² s⁻¹) as compared with the light-resistant species Tradescantia sillamontana. In T. fluminensis, non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) and photosystem II operational efficiency (parameter Φ_PSII) saturate as soon as actinic light reaches ≈200 μE m⁻² s⁻¹. Otherwise, T. sillamontana revealed a higher capacity for NPQ at strong light (≥800 μE m⁻² s⁻¹). The post-illumination adaptation of shade-tolerant plants occurs slower than in the light-resistant species. The data obtained are discussed in terms of reactivity of photosynthetic apparatus to short-term variations of the environment light.     

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of amino acids and polypeptides

Frequency-dependent absorption coefficients and refractive indices of amino acids (glycine and l-alanine) and polypeptides (polyglycine and poly-l-alanine) in the wavenumber region from 7 to 55 cm⁻¹ were measured by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. A vibrational band was observed at 45.5 cm⁻¹ for polyglycine, which was assigned as an interchain mode. The reduced absorption cross sections of the amino acids and polypeptides show power-law behavior. The exponents are different between the monomers and polymers, and those of the two polypeptides suggest that the time dependences of the total dipole moments are similar in the timescale of subpico- to picoseconds.     

Investigations of vibrational coherence in the low-frequency region of ferric heme proteins

Femtosecond coherence spectroscopy is applied to a series of ferric heme protein samples. The low-frequency vibrational spectra that are revealed show dominant oscillations near 40 cm⁻¹. MbCN is taken as a typical example of a histidine-ligated, six-coordinate, ferric heme and a comprehensive spectroscopic analysis is carried out. The results of this analysis reveal a new heme photoproduct species, absorbing near 418 nm, which is consistent with the photolysis of the His⁹³ axial ligand. The photoproduct undergoes subsequent rebinding/recovery with a time constant of ∼4 ps. The photoproduct lineshapes are consistent with a photolysis quantum yield of 75-100%, although the observation of a relatively strong six-coordinate heme coherence near 252 cm⁻¹ (assigned to ν₉ in the MbCN Raman spectrum) suggests that the 75% lower limit is much more likely. The phase and amplitude excitation profiles of the low-frequency mode at 40 cm⁻¹ suggest that this mode is strongly coupled to the MbCN photoproduct species and it is assigned to the doming mode of the transient penta-coordinated material. The absolute phase of the 40 cm⁻¹ mode is found to be π/2 on the red side of 418 nm and it jumps to 3π/2 as excitation is tuned to the blue side of 418 nm. The absolute phase of the 40 cm⁻¹ signal is not explained by the standard theory for resonant impulsive stimulated Raman scattering. New mechanisms that give a dominant momentum impulse to the resonant wavepacket, rather than a coordinate displacement, are discussed. The possibilities of heme iron atom recoil after photolysis, as well as ultrafast nonradiative decay, are explored as potential ways to generate the strong momentum impulse needed to understand the phase properties of the 40 cm⁻¹ mode.     

Photochemical and photophysical properties of ruthenium(II) bis-bipyridine bis-nitrile complexes: Photolability

The electrochemical and photophysical properties of two bis-nitrilo ruthenium(II) complexes formulated as [Ru(bpy)₂(L)₂](PF₆)₂, where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine and L is AN = CH₃CN and sn = NC-CH₂CH₂-CN, have been investigated. Electrochemical data are typical of Ru-bpy complexes with two reversible reduction peaks located near −1.3 and −1.6 V assigned to each bipyridine ligand and one Ru^II/Ru^III oxidation wave centered at approximately +1.5 V. The sn derivative is both IR and Raman active with its coordinated CN stretch appearing at 2277 cm⁻¹ and 2273 cm⁻¹, respectively. The UV/Vis absorption spectrum of the sn derivative is dominated by an intense (ε_max ∼ 58700 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) absorption band at 287 nm assigned as a LC (π → π∗) transition. The peak observed at 418 nm (ε ∼ 10 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is an MLCT band while the one at 244 nm (ε ∼ 23 600 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) is of LMLCT character. The AN derivative behaves similarly. Both complexes show low-temperature emission at around 537 nm with a lifetime near 10.0 μs. ¹H and ¹³C assignments are consistent with the formulation of the complexes. The complexes undergo photosubstitution of solvent with quantum efficiencies near one. Calculated and experimental results support replacement of the nitrile ligands by solvent. Based on DFT calculations, the electron density of the HOMO lies on the metal center, the bipyridine ligands and the nitrile ligands and electron density of the LUMO resides primarily on the bipyridine ligands. The electronic spectra obtained from TDDFT calculations closely match the experimental ones.     

Magneto-structural relationships for a mononuclear Co(II) complex with large zero-field splitting

A mononuclear cobalt(II) complex, [Co(ac)₂(H₂O)₂(MeIm)₂], with heteroleptic coordination sphere possessing the {CoO₂O′₂N₂} chromophore has been prepared and structurally characterized. The magnetic data down to 2 K show an enhanced magnetic anisotropy manifesting itself in a large zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameter. As a consequence, the magnetization deviates substantially from the Brillouin-function behavior. A fit to the zero-field splitting model gave the following set of magnetic parameters: D/hc = +95 cm⁻¹, g_x = 2.530, zj/hc = −0.078, χ_TIP = 16.7 × 10⁻⁹ m³ mol⁻¹, (g_z = 2.0). The Griffith-Figgis model and the Generalized Crystal-Field model lie beyond the spin-Hamiltonian formalism; they gave analogous, although not identical ZFS parameters: D/hc = 109 cm⁻¹, and D/hc = 77 cm⁻¹, respectively. The absorption spectrum taken in the FAR-IR region exhibits manifold absorption peaks referring to the transitions among the crystal-field multiplets of the parent ⁴A_2g + ⁴E_g terms (D_4h), originating in a crystal-field splitting of the octahedral ⁴T_1g ground term.     

Aminocarboxylate complexes of vanadium(III): Electronic structure investigation by high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Aminocarboxylate complexes of vanadium(III) are of interest as models for biologically and medicinally relevant forms of this interesting and somewhat neglected ion. The V(III) ion is paramagnetic, but not readily suited to conventional EPR, due to its integer-spin ground state (S = 1) and associated large zero-field splitting (zfs). High-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR), however, has the ability to study such systems effectively. Three complexes, all previously structurally characterized: Na[V(trdta)] · 3H₂O, Na[V(edta)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O, and [V(nta)(H₂O)₃] · 4H₂O (where trdta stands for trimethylenediamine-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate and nta stands for nitrilotriacetate) were studied by HFEPR. All the investigated complexes produced HFEPR responses both in the solid state, and in aqueous solution, but those of [V(nta)(H₂O)₃] · 4H₂O were poorly interpretable. Analysis of multi-frequency HFEPR spectra yielded a set of spin Hamiltonian parameters (including axial and rhombic zfs parameters: D and E, respectively) for these first two complexes as solids: Na[V(trdta)] · 3H₂O: D = 5.60 cm⁻¹, E = 0.85 cm⁻¹, g = 1.95; Na[V(edta)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O: D = 1.4 cm⁻¹, E = 0.14 cm⁻¹, g = 1.97. Spectra in frozen solution yielded similar parameters and showed multiple species in the case of the trdta complex, which are the consequence of the flexibility of this ligand. The EPR spectra obtained in frozen aqueous solution are the first, to our knowledge, of V(III) in solution in general and show the applicability of HFEPR to these systems. In combination with very insightful previous studies of the electronic absorption of these complexes which provided ligand-field parameters, it has been possible to describe the electronic structure of V(III) in [V(trdta)]⁻ and [V(edta)(H₂O)]⁻; the quality of data for [V(nta)(H₂O)₃] does not permit analysis. Qualitatively, six-coordinate V(III) complexes with O,N donor atoms show no electronic absorption band in the NIR region, and exhibit relatively large magnitude zfs (D ? 5 cm⁻¹), while analogous seven-coordinate complexes do have a NIR absorption band and show relatively small magnitude zfs (D < 2 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic studies of two-dimensional network of Cu(II) polymer using malonate and 4,4′-azobispyridine ligands

The malonato-bridged copper(II) complex [Cu(mal)(H₂O)(azpy)_1/2] · H₂O (1) (mal = malonate, azpy = 4,4′-azobispyridine) has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of malonato-bridged uniform copper(II) chains which are covalent connected through azpy to form two-dimensional wavelike network. The magnetic pathway of complex 1 is through a single syn-anti carboxylate bridge connecting equatorial and equatorial positions of adjacent copper(II) atoms, and have the value of the intrachain ferromagnetic coupling (J = 8.73(3) cm⁻¹) and interchain antiferromagnetic coupling (zJ′ = − 1.31(1) cm⁻¹) through a numerical expression for a ferromagnetic uniform chain.     

Mixed-valency with cyanides as terminal ligands: Diruthenium(III,II) complexes with the 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine bridge and variable co-ligands (CN vs. bpy or NH3)

New diruthenium complexes (PPN)₄[(NC)₄Ru(μ-bptz)Ru(CN)₄], (PPN)₄1, and [(bpy)₂Ru(μ-bptz)Ru(CN)₄], 2, (PPN⁺ = bis(triphenylphospine)iminium; bptz = 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), were synthesised and characterised by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The comproportionation constant K_c = 10^7.0 of the mixed-valent species [(NC)₄Ru(μ-bptz)Ru(CN)₄]³⁻ as obtained by oxidation of 1⁴⁻ in CH₃CN is much lower than the K_c = 10^15.0 previously detected for [(H₃N)₄Ru(bptz)Ru(NH₃)₄]⁵⁺, reflecting the competition between CN⁻ and bptz for the π-electron density of the metals. Comparison with several other bptz-bridged diruthenium(II,III) complexes reveals an approximate correlation between K_c and the diminishing effective π acceptor capacity of the ancillary terminal ligands. In addition to the intense MLCT absorption at λ_max = 624 nm, the main IVCT (intervalence charge transfer) band of 1³⁻ was detected by spectroelectrochemistry at λ_max = 1695 nm (in CH₃CN; ε = 3200 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The experimental band width at half-height, Δν_1/2 = 2700 cm⁻¹, is slightly smaller than the theoretical value Δν_1/2 = 3660 cm⁻¹, calculated from the Hush approximation for Class II mixed-valent species. In agreement with comparatively moderate metal-metal coupling, the mixed-valent intermediate 1³⁻ was found to be EPR silent even at 4 K. The unsymmetrical mixed-valent complex [(bpy)₂Ru^II(μ-bptz)Ru^III(CN)₄]⁺, obtained in situ by bromine oxidation of 2 in CH₃CN/H₂O, displays a broad NIR absorption originating from an IVCT transition at λ_max = 1075 nm (ε ≈ 1000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, Δν_1/2 ≈ 4000 cm⁻¹). In addition, the lifetime of the excited-state of the mononuclear precursor complex [Ru(bptz)(CN)₄]²⁻ was measured in H₂O by laser flash photolysis; the obtained value of τ = 19.6 ns reveals that bptz induces a metal-to-ligand electronic delocalisation effect intermediate between that induced by bpy and bpz (bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine) in analogous tetracyanoruthenium complexes.     

Structure and magnetic properties of polynuclear copper(II) compounds with syn-anti carboxylato- and bromo-bridges

Synthesis, spectroscopic and magnetic properties, and X-ray crystal structures of two copper(II) polymers Cu(2-qic)Br (2-qic = quinoline-2-carboxylate) (1) and Cu(2-pic)Br (2-pic = pyridine-2-carboxylate) (2) are described. These compounds are isostructural with Cu(2-qic)Cl and Cu(2-pic)Cl, respectively, the X-ray crystal structures of which were reported recently. Both complexes are polynuclear copper(II) compounds (1D and 2D, respectively) based on syn-anti carboxylate bridges and additionally on linear monobromo- (in 1) and dibromo-bridging (in 2) motifs. The magnetic properties were investigated in the temperature range 1.8-300 K. They reveal the occurrence of strong antiferromagnetic coupling (J₁ = −102.5 cm⁻¹) through the single bromo-bridge in 1, which is much stronger than that transmitted by the single chloro-bridge (J = −57.0 cm⁻¹). Very weak ferromagnetic interaction through the syn-anti carboxylate bridge J₂ is expected as it was observed in isomorphous Cu(2-qic)Cl (J = 0.37 cm⁻¹). For 2 a weak ferromagnetic couplings through the syn-anti carboxylate (zJ′ = 1.35 cm⁻¹) and dibromo-bridges (J = 8.31 cm⁻¹) were found. The experimental results indicate that the observed ferromagnetic exchange through dibromo-bridge is weaker than that in the chloride analog (J = 15.0 cm⁻¹). The magnitude of magnetic interactions is discussed on the basis of structural data of compounds 1 and 2 and their halide analogues.     

Anion directed template synthesis of Cu(II) complexes of a N,N,O donor mono-condensed Schiff base ligand: A molecular scaffold forming highly ordered H-bonded rectangular grids

Anion directed, template syntheses of two dinuclear copper(II) complexes of mono-condensed Schiff base ligand Hdipn (4-[(3-aminopentylimino)-methyl]-benzene-1,3-diol) involving 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and 1,3-diaminopentane were realized in the presence of bridging azide and acetate anions. Both complexes, [Cu₂(dipn)₂(N₃)₂] (1) and [Cu₂(dipn)₂(OAc)₂] (2) have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The two mononuclear units are joined together by basal-apical, double end-on azido bridges in complex 1 and by basal-apical, double mono-atomic acetate oxygen-bridges in 2. Both complexes form rectangular grid-like supramolecular structures via H-bonds connecting the azide or acetate anion and the p-hydroxy group of 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. Variable-temperature (300-2 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that complex 1 has antiferromagnetic coupling (J = −2.10 cm⁻¹) through the azide bridge while 2 has intra-dimer ferromagnetic coupling through the acetate bridge and inter-dimer antiferromagnetic coupling through H-bonds (J = 2.85 cm⁻¹, J′ = −1.08 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of a novel polynuclear copper ribbon-like network. A study of its magnetic properties between 4 and 300 K

A new route to {Cu₂(κ¹-pyNH₂)₂(μ-OMe)₂Cl₂}_n (pyNH₂ = 2-aminopyridine) (3) is reported. Structural characterisation reveals the presence of methoxide and chloride bridging units within the complex which support close copper-copper bonding interactions resulting in interesting magnetic properties. The variable-temperature (4-300 K) magnetic susceptibility data of the complex were interpreted with the dimer law using the molecular field approximation. The results obtained indicate a weak antiferromagnetic (zJ′ = −15 cm⁻¹) inter-chain interaction through the chloro-bridge. A relatively strong antiferromagnetic interaction, transmitted through the oxygen-bridge, with an exchange coupling of 2J = −305 cm⁻¹, which dominates the magnetic properties of the title complex.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and properties of the novel chiral 3D coordination polymer with S-carboxymethyl-l-cysteine

Reaction of fresh Mn(OH)₂ precipitate and S-carboxymethyl-l-cysteine (H₂SCMC) in aqueous solution afforded a novel chiral 3D coordination polymer Mn(H₂O)(SCMC) 1, which crystallizes in the acentric polar space group P2₁ with cell constants a = 5.079(1) Å, b = 9.617(2) Å, c = 8.649(2) Å, β = 94.40(3)°, V = 421.2(1) Å³, Z = 2, and exhibit a SHG effect and ferroelectricity (a remnant polarization P_r = 0.0159 uC cm⁻², coercive field E_c = 0.83 kV cm⁻², saturation of the spontaneous polarization P_s = 0.234 uC cm⁻²). To the best of our knowledge, the present compound represents the first example of S-carboxymethyl-l-cysteine coordination polymers that exhibit possible ferroelectric behavior. The structural analysis revealed that the Mn²⁺ ions in 1 are each coordinated by one N atom and five O atoms of four S-carboxymethyl-l-cysteine ligand bridges four symmetry-related Mn²⁺ ions to form 3D MOF of 6⁶ topology type with irregular chiral channels extending along [1 0 0]. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities shows that 1 obeys Curie-Weiss law χ_m = C/(T − Θ) with C = 4.23 cm³ mol⁻¹ K and Θ = −5.86 K and the best fit gave a weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J = −0.282(5) cm⁻¹) among Mn ions.     

Electronic and vibrational analysis of porphyrazine liquid-crystalline structure: Toward photochemical phase switching

The electronic and vibrational Raman spectra of octa-substituted (R = -SC₁₀H₂₁) Co- and Cu-porphyrazines are reported in their solid-state, mesophase, and isotropic liquid forms, as well as in THF solution. Their electronic spectra are composed of traditional Soret (CuS10 = 355 nm, CoS10 = 347 nm) and lower energy Q-bands (CuS10 = 669 nm, CoS10 = 639 nm), as well as a weaker, functionality-specific sulfur n → porphyrin π^∗ feature (CuS10 = 500 nm; CoS10 = 447 nm). In contrast to the broad Q-band for CoS10 in all three neat phases, the lower energy analogue for CuS10 is markedly sharper in the microcrystalline state, but similarly broadens in the mesophase, indicative of long range macrocycle π-π interactions that persist even into the liquid state. The resonance (λ = 647 nm) and off-resonance (λ = 785 nm) Raman spectra of these materials in each phase exhibit four diagnostic vibrations; the C_α-N_m stretch (∼1540-1553) cm⁻¹, C_β-C_β stretch (∼1450 cm⁻¹), C_α-C_β-N_p stretch (∼1300-1315 cm⁻¹), and C_α-C_β stretch (∼1070 cm⁻¹). For CoS10, these vibrations systematically shift to lower energy upon melting, while those for CuS10 collapse to degenerate sets. The differences in the electronic and vibrational profiles as a function of temperature suggest that the mesophase structure is governed by strong axial Co-S interactions for CoS10 which template macrocycle π-π stacking, while for CuS10 the same contacts exist, but they are phase dependent and markedly weaker. These inter-porphyrazine interactions are, therefore, responsible for the distinct differences in the melting and clearing temperatures of their respective mesophases. Finally, based on these diagnostic spectroscopic signatures, a photo-thermal, phase-switching mechanism is demonstrated with λ = 785 nm excitation at reduced temperatures, leading to the ability to spectrally monitor and phase change with a single photon source.     

Optical and EPR spectra of the thionitrosyl complex [Cr(OH2)5(NS)]

The green thionitrosyl complex [Cr(OH₂)₅(NS)]²⁺ was isolated in solution by the hydrolysis of [Cr(NCCH₃)₅(NS)]²⁺. The optical absorption spectra of both compounds are dominated by a band with vibrational progression around 600 nm assigned as a {d_yz,zx, π^∗(NS)} → {π^∗(NS), d_yz,zx}^∗ transition. The optical data indicate that the NS ligand is a weaker π-acceptor than the NO ligand. The EPR parameters of [Cr(OH₂)₅(NS)]²⁺ were determined: g_iso, g_∥ and g_⊥: 1.96515, 1.92686(5) and 1.986860(8); A_iso(⁵³Cr), A_∥(⁵³Cr) and A_⊥(⁵³Cr): 25.3 × 10⁻⁴, 38 × 10⁻⁴ and 18.5 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹; A_iso(¹⁴N), A_∥(¹⁴N) and A_⊥(¹⁴N): 6.5 × 10⁻⁴, 2.81 × 10⁻⁴ and 8.346(12) × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹.