Electron Spin Distribution Research Articles

Pulsed optical pumping in electron spin vapor

Optically pumped atoms have essential applications in magnetic sensing, physics research, and inertial navigation. The polarization gradient caused by light absorption dramatically influences the performance of quantum sensors based on optical pumping. This paper presents a novel approach to address the trade-off between polarization gradient and sensitivity by introducing the pulsed optical pumping method. The interplay of pulsed optical pumping, relaxation, and diffusion processes leads to a more homogeneous distribution of electron spin. Experimental results indicate that the pulsed optical pumping technique increases the optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) signal strength by 12.8% and increases the nuclear spin coherence time by 12.29% in optically pumped co-magnetometer (OPCM). This technology has broad applications in sensors based on the optical pumping effect, such as OPM, OPCM, and nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope, and holds immense promise for future advancements in the optical pumping field.

Heme Spin Distribution in the Substrate-Free and Inhibited Novel CYP116B5hd: A Multifrequency Hyperfine Sublevel Correlation (HYSCORE) Study.

The cytochrome P450 family consists of ubiquitous monooxygenases with the potential to perform a wide variety of catalytic applications. Among the members of this family, CYP116B5hd shows a very prominent resistance to peracid damage, a property that makes it a promising tool for fine chemical synthesis using the peroxide shunt. In this meticulous study, we use hyperfine spectroscopy with a multifrequency approach (X- and Q-band) to characterize in detail the electronic structure of the heme iron of CYP116B5hd in the resting state, which provides structural details about its active site. The hyperfine dipole-dipole interaction between the electron and proton nuclear spins allows for the locating of two different protons from the coordinated water and a beta proton from the cysteine axial ligand of heme iron with respect to the magnetic axes centered on the iron. Additionally, since new anti-cancer therapies target the inhibition of P450s, here we use the CYP116B5hd system-imidazole as a model for studying cytochrome P450 inhibition by an azo compound. The effects of the inhibition of protein by imidazole in the active-site geometry and electron spin distribution are presented. The binding of imidazole to CYP116B5hd results in an imidazole-nitrogen axial coordination and a low-spin heme FeIII. HYSCORE experiments were used to detect the hyperfine interactions. The combined interpretation of the gyromagnetic tensor and the hyperfine and quadrupole tensors of magnetic nuclei coupled to the iron electron spin allowed us to obtain a precise picture of the active-site geometry, including the orientation of the semi-occupied orbitals and magnetic axes, which coincide with the porphyrin N-Fe-N axes. The electronic structure of the iron does not seem to be affected by imidazole binding. Two different possible coordination geometries of the axial imidazole were observed. The angles between gx (coinciding with one of the N-Fe-N axes) and the projection of the imidazole plane on the heme were determined to be -60° and -25° for each of the two possibilities via measurement of the hyperfine structure of the axially coordinated 14N.

Quantum spin coherence and electron spin distribution channels in vanadyl-containing lantern complexes.

We herein investigate the heterobimetallic lantern complexes [PtVO(SOCR)4] as charge neutral electronic qubits based on vanadyl complexes (S = 1/2) with nuclear spin-free donor atoms. The derivatives with R = Me (1) and Ph (2) give highly resolved X-band EPR spectra in frozen CH2Cl2/toluene solution, which evidence the usual hyperfine coupling with the 51V nucleus (I = 7/2) and an additional superhyperfine interaction with the I = 1/2 nucleus of the 195Pt isotope (natural abundance ca. 34%). DFT calculations ascribe the spin density delocalization on the Pt2+ ion to a combination of π and δ pathways, with the former representing the predominant channel. Spin relaxation measurements in frozen CD2Cl2/toluene-d8 solution between 90 and 10 K yield Tm values (1-6 μs in 1 and 2-11 μs in 2) which compare favorably with those of known vanadyl-based qubits in similar matrices. Coherent spin manipulations indeed prove possible at 70 K, as shown by the observation of Rabi oscillations in nutation experiments. The results indicate that the heavy Group 10 metal ion is not detrimental to the coherence properties of the vanadyl moiety and that Pt-VO lanterns can be used as robust spin-coherent building blocks in materials science and quantum technologies.

DFT study of sensing properties of defected and transition-metal doped V2CF2 towards CH4

As a new type of gas sensor, MXenes material is of great significance in indoor harmful gas detection. The geometric, electronic, and magnetic properties of CH4 adsorbed on intact, F-vacancy defected, and transition-metal (TMs: Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Nb, Mo) doped V2CF2 have been investigated based on density functional theory. Perfect V2CF2 and F-vacancy defected substrates exhibited low charge transfer, long adsorption distance, and small adsorption energy for CH4. The adsorption mechanism was physical adsorption. After introducing Co and Ni dopants, the adsorption mechanism of CH4 changed to be chemisorption. Additionally, the asymmetric electron spin distribution between the dopant and V atom caused the substrate to change from being non-magnetic to magnetic, as shown by the electronic density of states diagrams. The hybridization between TM-3d orbitals and the p orbitals of the CH4 molecule significantly improved the adsorption stability. It is hoped that the results could provide ideas for creating new CH4 gas sensors based on MXenes.

Structural Evolution and Electronic Properties of Two Sulfur Atom-Doped Boron Clusters.

We present a theoretical study of structural evolution, electronic properties, and photoelectron spectra of two sulfur atom-doped boron clusters S2Bn0/- (n = 2-13), which reveal that the global minima of the S2Bn0/- (n = 2-13) clusters show an evolution from a linear-chain structure to a planar or quasi-planar structure. Some S-doped boron clusters have the skeleton of corresponding pure boron clusters; however, the addition of two sulfur atoms modified and improved some of the pure boron cluster structures. Boron is electron-deficient and boron clusters do not form linear chains. Here, two sulfur atom doping can adjust the pure boron clusters to a linear-chain structure (S2B20/-, S2B30/-, and S2B4-), a quasi-linear-chain structure (S2B6-), single- and double-chain structures (S2B6 and S2B9-), and double-chain structures (S2B5, and S2B9). In particular, the smallest linear-chain boron clusters S2B20/- are shown with an S atom attached to each end of B2. The S2B2 cluster possesses the largest highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap of 5.57 eV and the S2B2- cluster possesses the largest average binding energy Eb of 5.63 eV, which shows the superior chemical stability and relative stability, respectively. Interestingly, two S-atom doping can adjust the quasi-planar pure boron clusters (B7-, B10-, and B120/-) to a perfect planar structure. AdNDP bonding analyses reveal that linear S2B3 and planar SeB11- have π aromaticity and σ antiaromaticity; however, S2B2, planar S2B6, and planar S2B7- clusters have π antiaromaticity and σ aromaticity. Furthermore, AdNDP bonding analyses reveal that planar S2B4, S2B10, and S2B12 clusters are doubly (π and σ) aromatic, whereas S2B5-, S2B8, S2B9-, and S2B13- clusters are doubly (π and σ) antiaromatic. The electron localization function (ELF) analysis shows that S2Bn0/- (n = 2-13) clusters have different electron delocalization characteristics, and the spin density analysis shows that the open-shell clusters have different characteristics of electron spin distribution. The calculated photoelectron spectra indicate that S2Bn- (n = 2-13) have different characteristic peaks that can be compared with future experimental values and provide a theoretical basis for the identification and confirmation of these doped boron clusters. Our work enriches the new database of geometrical structures of doped boron clusters, provides new examples of aromaticity for doped boron clusters, and is promising to offer new ideas for nanomaterials and nanodevices.

DFT Study of Potential Barriers and Trajectory of CO2 Adsorption/Desorption As Well As Dissociation on Clusters Simulating Fe (100), Fe (110), and Fe (111) Facets

Density functional theory calculations (DFT) were performed to investigate the Fe-facet effect on the CO2 potential barrier as well as trajectory of CO2 adsorption. It was found that potential barrier of CO2 adsorption on Fe (111) is almost absent (~0.01 eV). At the same time, potential barriers of CO2 adsorption on Fe (100) and Fe (110) are 0.10 and 0.26 eV, correspondingly. The most stable configuration of CO2 adsorption on different Fe facets under consideration is CO2 adsorbed on Fe (111) with heat effect –1.16 eV, whereas adsorption energies of CO2 on Fe (100) and Fe (110) are –0.87 and –0.15 eV, correspondingly. Found values are in good agreement with literature data. Most energetically favorable trajectory of the CO2 adsorption passes through 2-fold adsorption site (located near two neighbor Fe atoms) in case of flat Fe facets (100) and (110). Unexpectable tend to spontaneous dissociation of CO2 molecule on desorption stage was found at distance ~2.66 Å above Fe (100) surface. Analysis of electron spin distributions allows one to conclude that dissociation is caused by excitation of CO2 molecule accompanied with rearrangement of the spin density of the both CO2 molecule and surface Fe (100) atoms rather than charge transfer. CO2 dissociation on adsorption stage on Fe (100) facet was not found as well as it was not observed over other Fe facets both on desorption and on adsorption stages.

DFT analysis of the sensitivity of graphene/MoS2 heterostructures toward H2CO

Indoor toxic gases detection is very important for human health, and the use of novel two-dimensional materials to detect or adsorb toxic gases is significant. With these prospects in mind, the potential application of graphene/MoS2 two-dimensional heterostructure as a gas sensor was explored. This study investigated the sucking stability and electronic and magnetic properties of H2CO adsorbed on perfect, vacancy-defected, transition metal (TM)-doped graphene/MoS2 heterostructures through density functional theory analysis. Perfect graphene/MoS2 (GMoS2) exhibited small adsorption energy and low charge transfer, and the TM-doped Mo-vacancy-defected heterostructures exhibited physical adsorption toward H2CO molecules with a shorter desorption time. However, the interaction between H2CO and the substrate changed to chemisorption when TMs (Sc, V, Cr, Mn) were doped with S-vacancy-defected graphene/MoS2. Meanwhile, the density of states of the S-defected heterostructure indicated the hybridization of the d orbitals of the dopants and the p orbital of the H2CO molecule that considerably enhanced the adsorption energy. Furthermore, the asymmetric electron spin distribution of dopants and Mo atoms induced a strong magnetic moment. In summary, this study established an effective approach for H2CO gas detection based on heterostructure.

Electron Distribution in 1,2,3-Benzotriazole and 1,2,3-Triazole Anion Radical Isomers: An EPR and DFT Study.

The anion radicals of N1- and N2-alkylbenzotriazoles and alkyltriazoles (alkyl = methyl or isopropyl) have been generated by low-temperature potassium metal reduction in tetrahydrofuran. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis and density functional theory calculations reveal that the electron spin distribution within the triazole ring of these systems is markedly different. The magnitude of the electron-nitrogen couplings along with the calculated spin densities reveals that the N2-alkylbenzotriazole and N2-alkyltriazole anion radicals have significantly greater electron spin residing within the N3 portion of the triazole ring compared with that of the respective N1 isomers. These differences impact the overall geometry of the triazole ring where both N2-isomers lose planarity upon reduction. Experimental and computational results reveal that the N2-methyltriazole anion radical has the largest concentration of electron spin residing in the N3 moiety compared to that of the other three anion radicals studied. Significant anisotropic line broadening is observed in the EPR spectrum of the N2-methyltriazole anion radical, which is a consequence of the large nitrogen hyperfine couplings and sufficiently slow rotational motion of this species in solution.

A Rare Angular Trinuclear Mixed Valence Cobalt(III-II-III) Complex With Azido Bridges And Salpn-Type Schiff-Base Ligand: Synthesis, Crystal Structure And DFT Study

We describe herein a novel angular trinuclear Co(III)–Co(II)–Co(III) mixed-valence Schiff base complex of formula [{(μ-L)(μ-N3)CoIII(N3)}2CoII(H2O)2]⋅MeOH⋅1.5H2O (1), obtained by aerial oxidation of [CoIIL] (2) precursor, where H2L = N,N′-bis(5-bromosalicylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane. The crystal structure of complex 1 reveals that the two terminal cobalt(III) ions are connected to the central cobalt(II) ion through single phenoxo- and single end-on azido bridges giving rise to this unique bent configuration to the (Co3}-core. The oxidation states and geometries around the cobalt atoms in the complexes are confirmed by spectroscopic studies and magnetic moment measurements, which are strongly supported by NBO analysis. It is found that the quartet spin state of the title complex has the lowest energy, both for the X-ray and optimized geometries. The HOMO/LUMO gap values calculated in implicit methanol indicate high stability of complex 1 in solution. The substantial value for the hydrogen bond energy is considered as a major contributing factor to the stabilization of complex 1. We have provided insight in the electronic structural features, including charge and spin distribution, of complex 2 based on the theoretical investigations of the optimized structure. Detailed study on facile synthesis enables us to propose a tentative mechanism of the reaction pathway.

Variable electronic structure and spin distribution in bis(2,2'-bipyridine)-metal complexes (M = Ru or Os) of 4,5-dioxido- and 4,5-diimido-pyrene.

The odd-electron compounds [M(bpy)2(L1)](ClO4) M = Ru ([1](ClO4)) or Os ([2](ClO4)), and the even-electron species [M(bpy)2(H2L2)](ClO4)2, M = Ru ([3](ClO4)2) or Os ([4](ClO4)2) were obtained from pyrene-4,5-dione, L1, or 4,5-diaminopyrene, H4L2, and were characterised structurally, electrochemically and spectroscopically. Experimental and computational analysis (TD-DFT) revealed rather different electronic structures and spin distributions of the paramagnetic monocations 1+-4+. EPR investigations and electronic absorption studies exhibit increasing metal contributions to the singly occupied MO along the series 1+ < 3+ < 4+ < 2+, illustrated by g value and long-wavelength absorbance. In addition to variations of the metal (Ru,Os) and the donor atoms (O,NH) the extension of the π system of the semiquinone-type ligand has a large effect on the electronic structure of the paramagnetic cations.

Spin transport in Si-based spin metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors: Spin drift effect in the inversion channel and spin relaxation in the n+−Si source/drain regions

We have experimentally and theoretically investigated the electron spin transport and spin distribution at room temperature in a Si two-dimensional (2D) inversion channel of back-gate-type spin metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (spin MOSFETs). The magnetoresistance ratio of the spin MOSFET with a channel length of 0.4$\mu$m was increased by a factor of 6 from that in our previous paper [Phys. Rev. B 99, 165301 (2019)] by lowering the parasitic resistances at the source/drain junctions with highly-phosphorus-doped n+-Si regions and by increasing the lateral electric field in the channel along the electron transport, called "spin drift". Clear Hanle signals with some oscillation peaks were observed for the spin MOSFET with a channel length of 10 $\mu$ m under the lateral electric field, indicating that the effective spin diffusion length is dramatically enhanced by the spin drift. By taking into account the n+-Si regions and the spin drift in the channel, one-dimensional analytic functions were derived for analyzing the effect of the spin drift on the spin transport through the channel and these functions were found to explain almost all the experimental results. From the calculated spin current and spin distribution, it was revealed that almost all the spins are unflipped during the spin-drift-assisted transport through the 0.4-$\mu$m-long inversion channel, but the most part of the injected spins from the source electrode are relaxed in the n+-Si regions of both the source and drain junctions. This means that the spin drift is useful and precise design of the device structure is essential to obtain a higher magnetoresistance ratio. Furthermore, we showed that the effective spin resistances that are introduced in this study are very helpful to understand how to improve the magnetoresistance ratio of spin MOSFETs for practical use.

Synthesis and Structural Studies of Two Paramagnetic Metallofullerenes with Isomeric C72 Cage.

We synthesized and isolated two paramagnetic metallofullerenes of La@C72 and Y@C72 with different fullerene cages, which were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. DFT calculations disclosed two possible isomers of La/Y@C72 with C72- C2 and C72- C2v cages, both of which have similar thermodynamic stability and one pair of fused pentagons. Their paramagnetic properties were then studied by EPR spectroscopy, and the obtained EPR signals were analyzed with very different hyperfine coupling constants, revealing distinct electron spin distributions for these two species. Furthermore, the experimental coupling constants were compared with those of calculated coupling constants, and comparison results revealed that the produced La@C72 has a C72- C2v cage and Y@C72 has a C72- C2 cage. These studies illustrate that the electron spin can be used as a probe to identify metallofullerene structure due to the susceptibility of spin-metal couplings. The successful isolation and characterizations of La@C72 and Y@C72 with such a small C72 cage reveal their stability that is important for application as paramagnetic molecule materials.

Biradical rotamer states tune electron J coupling and MAS dynamic nuclear polarization enhancement

Cross Effect (CE) Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) relies on the dipolar (D) and exchange (J) coupling interaction between two electron spins. Until recently only the electron spin D coupling was explicitly included in quantifying the DNP mechanism. Recent literature discusses the potential role of J coupling in DNP, but does not provide an account of the distribution and source of electron spin J coupling of commonly used biradicals in DNP. In this study, we quantified the distribution of electron spin J coupling in AMUPol and TOTAPol biradicals using a combination of continuous wave (CW) X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) lineshape analysis in a series of solvents and at variable temperatures in solution – a state to be vitrified for DNP. We found that both radicals show a temperature dependent distribution of J couplings, and the source of this distribution to be conformational dynamics. To qualify this conformational dependence of J coupling in both molecules we carry out Broken Symmetry DFT calculations which show that the biradical rotamer distribution can account for a large distribution of J couplings, with the magnitude of J coupling directly depending on the relative orientation of the electron spin pair. We demonstrate that the electron spin J couplings in both AMUPol and TOTAPol span a much wider distribution than suggested in the literature. We affirm the importance of electron spin J coupling for DNP with density matrix simulations of DNP in Liouville space and under magic angle spinning, showcasing that a rotamer with high J coupling and optimum relative g-tensor orientation can significantly boost the DNP performance compared to random orientations of the electron spin pair. We conclude that moderate electron spin J coupling above a threshold value can facilitate DNP enhancements.

Evaluation of the Radical-Scavenging Properties of Various Flavonols in Ethanol Environment: an ab initio Study

The antioxidant properties of six flavonols -fisetin, galangin, gossipetin, kaempferol, morin and myricetin- have been investigated at HF/6-311G+(d,p) level of theory, using ethanol as solvent. Three known antioxidant mechanisms, namely HAT (hydrogen atom transfer), SET-PT (single electron transfer followed by proton transfer) and SPLET (sequential proton loss electron transfer) have been employed in order to evaluate the radical scavenging abilities of the investigated compounds. Thermodynamic parameters like bond dissociation energy (BDE), proton affinity (PA), electron transfer enthalpy (ETE), ionization potential (IP) and proton dissociation enthalpy (PDE) were calculated and the results were associated with the number and the positions of the hydroxyl groups, the geometry of the parent molecule and of the corresponding radicals, as well as with the electron spin distribution. Also, computations of global reactivity descriptors like HOMO-LUMO gap showed that an increased reactivity is related to the presence of the catechol moiety (gossipetin, myricetin, fisetin). The influence of the catecholic OH groups is also outlined by the HOMO energies, highest electron-donor ability being obtained for gossipetin, the flavonol with two catecholic moieties on rings A and B. According to the HAT mechanism, it has been outlined an enhanced antioxidant character of the 3-OH groups, followed by the hydroxyl groups attached to the phenyl ring B. The calculated values of the condensed Fukui functions, computed for a radical attack, are in good agreement with the above-mentioned results.

Effective tuning of electron charge and spin distribution in a dot-ring nanostructure at the ZnO interface

Electronic states and the Aharonov-Bohm effect in ZnO quantum dot-ring nanostructures containing few interacting electrons reveal several unique features. We have shown here that in contrast to the dot-rings made of conventional semiconductors, such as InAs or GaAs, the dot-rings in ZnO heterojunctions demonstrate several unique characteristics due to the unusual properties of quantum dots and rings in ZnO. In particular the energy spectra of the ZnO dot-ring and the Aharnov-Bohm oscillations are strongly dependant on the electron number in the dot or in the ring. Therefore even small changes of the confinement potential, sizes of the dot-ring or the magnetic field can drastically change the energy spectra and the behavior of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in the system. Due to this interesting phenomena it is possible to effectively control with high accuracy the electron charge and spin distribution inside the dot-ring structure. This controlling can be achieved either by changing the magnetic field or the confinement potentials.

Short-Range, Spin-Dependent Interactions of Electrons: A Probe for Exotic Pseudo-Goldstone Bosons.

We used a torsion pendulum and rotating attractor with 20-pole electron-spin distributions to probe dipole-dipole interactions mediated by exotic pseudo-Goldstone bosons with m(b)c(2)≤500 μeV and coupling strengths up to 14 orders of magnitude weaker than electromagnetism. This corresponds to symmetry-breaking scales F≤70 TeV, the highest reached in any laboratory experiment. We used an attractor with a 20-pole unpolarized mass distribution to improve laboratory bounds on CP-violating monopole-dipole forces with 1.5 μeV<m(b)c(2)<400 μeV by up to a factor of 1000.

DFT and ENDOR Study of Bixin Radical Cations and Neutral Radicals on Silica-Alumina.

Bixin, a carotenoid found in annatto (Bixa orellana), is unique among natural carotenoids by being water-soluble. We stabilized free radicals from bixin on the surface of silica-alumina (Si-Al) and characterized them by pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR). DFT calculations of unpaired electron spin distribution for various bixin radicals predict the EPR hyperfine couplings. Least-square fitting of experimental ENDOR spectra by spectra calculated from DFT hyperfine couplings characterized the radicals trapped on Si-Al. DFT predicts that the trans bixin radical cation is more stable than the cis bixin radical cation by 1.26 kcal/mol. This small energy difference is consistent with the 26% trans and 23% cis radical cations in the ENDOR spectrum. The remainder of the ENDOR spectrum is due to several neutral radicals formed by loss of a H(+) ion from the 9, 9', 13, or 13' methyl group, a common occurrence in all water-insoluble carotenoids previously studied. Although carboxyl groups of bixin strongly affect its solubility relative to other natural carotenoids, they do not alter properties of its free radicals based on DFT calculations and EPR measurements which remain similar to typical water-insoluble carotenoids.

Evidence that histidine forms a coordination bond to the A0A and A0B chlorophylls and a second H-bond to the A1A and A1B phylloquinones in M688HPsaA and M668HPsaB variants of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The axial ligands of the acceptor chlorophylls, A0A and A0B, in Photosystem I are the Met sulfur atoms of M688PsaA and M668PsaB. To determine the role of the Met, His variants were generated in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Molecular dynamics simulations on M688HPsaA show that there exist low energy conformations with the His coordinated to A0A and possibly H-bonded to A1A. Transient EPR studies on M688HPsaA indicate a more symmetrical electron spin distribution in the A1A phyllosemiquinone ring consistent with the presence of an H-bond to the C1 carbonyl. Ultrafast optical studies on the variants show that the 150fs charge separation between P700 and A0 remains unaffected. Studies on the ns timescale show that 57% of the electrons are transferred from A0A− to A1A in M688HPsaA and 48% from A0B− to A1B in M668HPsaB; the remainder recombine with P700+ with 1/e times of 25ns and 37ns, respectively. Those electrons that reach A1A and A1B in the branch carrying the mutation are not transferred to FX, but recombine with P700+ with 1/e times of ~15μs and ~5μs, respectively. Hence, the His is coordinated to A0 in all populations, but in a second population, the His may be additionally H-bonded to A1. Electron transfer from A0 to A1 occurs only in the latter, but the higher redox potentials of A0 and A1 as a result of the stronger coordination bond to A0 and the proposed second H-bond to A1 preclude electron transfer to the Fe/S clusters.

Hyperfine interactions of narrow-line trityl radical with solvent molecules

The electron nuclear dipolar interactions responsible for some dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) mechanisms also are responsible for the presence formally in CW EPR spectra of forbidden satellite lines in which both the electron spin and a nuclear spin flip. Such lines arising from 1H nuclei are easily resolved in CW EPR measurements of trityl radicals, a popular family of DNP reagents. The satellite lines overlap some of the hyperfine features from 13C in natural abundance in the trityl radical, but their intensity can be easily determined by simple simulations of the EPR spectra using the hyperfine parameters of the trityl radical. Isotopic substitution of 2H for 1H among the hydrogens of the trityl radical and/or the solvent allows the dipolar interactions from the 1H on the trityl radical and from the solvent to be determined. The intensity of the dipolar interactions, integrated over all the 1H in the system, is characterized by the traditional parameter called reff. For the so-called Finland trityl in methanol, the reff values indicate that collectively the 1H in the unlabeled solvent have a stronger integrated dipolar interaction with the unpaired electron spin of the Finland trityl than do the 1H in the radical and consequently will be a more important DNP route. Although reff has the dimensions of distance, it does not correspond to any simple physical dimension in the trityl radical because the details of the unpaired electron spin distribution and the hydrogen distribution are important in the case of trityls.

Pulse Q-Band EPR and ENDOR Spectroscopies of the Photochemically Generated Monoprotonated Benzosemiquinone Radical in Frozen Alcoholic Solution

Quinones are essential cofactors in many physiological processes, among them proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in photosynthesis and respiration. A key intermediate in PCET is the monoprotonated semiquinone radical. In this work we produced the monoprotonated benzosemiquinone (BQH(•)) by UV illumination of BQ dissolved in 2-propanol at cryogenic temperatures and investigated the electronic and geometric structures of BQH(•) in the solid state (80 K) using EPR and ENDOR techniques at 34 GHz. The g-tensor of BQH(•) was found to be similar to that of the anionic semiquinone species (BQ(•-)) in frozen solution. The peaks present in the ENDOR spectrum of BQH(•) were identified and assigned by (1)H/(2)H substitutions. The experiments reconfirmed that the hydroxyl proton (O-H) on BQH(•), which is abstracted from a solvent molecule, mainly originates from the central CH group of 2-propanol. They also showed that the protonation has a strong impact on the electron spin distribution over the quinone. This is reflected in the hyperfine couplings (hfc's) of the ring protons, which dramatically changed with respect to those typically observed for BQ(•-). The hfc tensor of the O-H proton was determined by a detailed orientation-selection ENDOR study and found to be rhombic, resembling those of protons covalently bound to carbon atoms in a π-system (i.e., α-protons). It was found that the O-H bond lies in the quinone plane and is oriented along the direction of the quinone oxygen lone pair orbital. DFT calculations were performed on different structures of BQH(•) coordinated by four, three, or zero 2-propanol molecules. The O-H bond length was found to be around 1.0 Å, typical for a single covalent O-H bond. Good agreement between experimental and DFT results were found. This study provides a detailed picture of the electronic and geometric structures of BQH(•) and should be applicable to other naturally occurring quinones.