Zero-Field Splitting Parameters of Hemin Investigated by High-Frequency and High-Pressure Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract

We systematically studied the zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of Fe(III) protoporphyrin IX chloride, or hemin, using the terahertz electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy technique at ambient and high pressures. Although hemin is known as a model substance of hemoproteins, the pressure effect on the electronic structure has not yet been explored owing to the large ZFS. In this study, high-field and high-frequency EPR measurements were carried out in the frequency range up to 700 GHz and at hydrostatic pressures up to 2 GPa. At ambient pressure, multiple EPR branches were clearly observed, and the axial and rhombic components of ZFS were determined as $$D = 6.90\pm 0.01\hbox { cm}^{-1}$$ and $$E = 0.055 \pm 0.005\hbox { cm}^{-1}$$ , respectively. Upon pressure application, we observed a systematic shift of the resonance field, indicating a monotonous increase of the axial component from D = 6.9 to 7.9 $$\hbox {cm}^{-1}$$ at 2 GPa. The origin of this unusually large shift was discussed from a microscopic viewpoint of the electronic structure of iron under pressure.