Pulsed Electron Nuclear Double Resonance Research Articles

EPR, ESE and Pulsed ENDOR Study of Nitrogen Related Centers in 4H-SiC Wafers Grown by Different Technologies

D-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements as well as X and Q-band field-swept Electron Spin Echo (ESE) and pulsed Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) studies were performed on a series of n-type 4H-SiC wafers grown by different techniques including sublimation sandwich method (SSM), physical vapor transport (PVT) and modified Lely method. Depending on the C/Si ratio and the growth temperature the n-type 4H-SiC wafers revealed, besides a triplet due to nitrogen residing on the cubic site (Nc), two nitrogen (N) related EPR spectra with g||=2.0055, g⊥=2.0010 and g||=2.0063, g⊥=2.0005 with different intensities. In the samples with low C/Si ratio the EPR spectrum with g|| =2.0055, g⊥=2.0010 consists of a triplet with low intensity which is tentatively explained as a N-related complex, while in the samples with high C/Si ratio the triplet is transformed into one structureless line of high intensity, which is explained as being due to an exchange interaction between N donors. In the samples grown at low temperature with enhanced carbon concentration the EPR line with g||=2.0063, g⊥=2.0005 and a small hyperfine (hf) interaction dominates the EPR spectrum. It is attributed to N on the hexagonal lattice site. The interpretation of the EPR data is supported by activation energies and donor concentrations obtained from Hall effect measurements for three donor levels in this series of 4H-SiC samples.

Coordination of solvent molecules to VO(acac)2 complexes in solution studied by hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance

Interactions and binding sites of the solvent molecules chloroform and ethanol to bis(acetylacetonate)oxovanadium(IV) (VO(acac)2) complexes in (frozen) solutions have been investigated by pulsed electron nuclear double resonance, sum peak electron spin echo envelope modulation and hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy. The experimental proton hyperfine coupling data of coordinating solvent molecules have been interpreted using quantum chemical calculations (density functional theory). Experimental and computed hyperfine couplings indicate that ethanol coordinates to vanadium in the equatorial plane of VO(acac)2 and chloroform interacts via hydrogen bonding to oxygens of the acac ligands.

Radio frequencies in EPR: Conventional and advanced use

This mini-review focuses on various aspects of the application of radio frequency (rf) irradiation in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The development of the electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) technique is briefly described, and we highlight the use of circularly polarized rf fields and pulse ENDOR methodology in one- and two-dimensional experiments. The capability of pulse ENDOR at Q-band is illustrated with interesting experimental examples. Electron spin echo envelope modulation effects induced by an rf field in liquid samples demonstrate another role which rf fields can play. Technical achievements in the design of ENDOR resonators are illustrated by the example of a bridged loop-gap resonator. Finally, the influence of longitudinal rf fields on the dynamics of EPR transitions is explained using a dressed spin resonance treatment.

Formation of a Nickel−Methyl Species in Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase, an Enzyme Catalyzing Methane Formation

An organometallic methyl−nickel species was detected in the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR). This is the key enzyme in microbial methane production and is probably also involved in anaerobic methane oxidation. Incubation of MCR with 13C-bromomethane results in the formation of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) active nickel−methyl species in the active site of this enzyme. High-resolution pulse electron nuclear double resonance and hyperfine sublevel correlation investigations showed the presence of 13C hyperfine couplings of 18−44 MHz that are associated with the nickel-based EPR signal. The large 13C hyperfine interaction shows unambiguously that the methyl group from bromomethane is directly coordinated to the nickel ion. The EPR structure and parameters are fully supported by density functional theory calculations.

Implementation of molecular spin quantum computing by pulsed ENDOR technique: Direct observation of quantum entanglement and spinor

Pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spin technology has been invoked for realization of a quantum computer (QC). Sample preparation of molecular spins, quantum operations, and measurements have been performed successfully, showing that ENDOR QC is feasible. We have employed a typical stable organic open-shell entity, malonyl radical, for pulsed ENDOR-based QC experiments. Time proportional phase incrementation (TPPI) technique was applied in order to characterize entangled states. The appearance of the entanglement between electron and nuclear spins was discussed based on the pulsed ENDOR-QC experiments with the TPPI detection. The generated entangled state was operated by both the microwave and RF pulses, demonstrating the appearance of a spinor property with four- π periodicity due to electron spin-1/2, in a straightforward manner for the first time. Interconversion from one entangled state to the other one via quantum operation was demonstrated.

Studies of the Mo(V) center of the Y343F mutant of human sulfite oxidase by variable frequency pulsed EPR spectroscopy

The Mo(V) forms of the Tyr343Phe (Y343F) mutant of human sulfite oxidase (SO) have been investigated by continuous wave (CW) and variable frequency pulsed EPR spectroscopies as a function of pH. The CW EPR spectrum recorded at low-pH (∼6.9) has g-values similar to those known for the low-pH form of the native vertebrate SO ( original lpH form); however, unlike the spectrum of original lpH SO, it does not show any hyperfine splittings from a nearby exchangeable proton. The detailed electron spin echo (ESE) envelope modulation (ESEEM) and pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) experiments also did not reveal any nearby protons that could belong to an exchangeable ligand at the molybdenum center. These results suggest that under low-pH conditions the active site of Y343F SO is in the “blocked” form, with the Mo(V) center coordinated by sulfate. With increasing pH the EPR signal from the “blocked” form decreases, while a signal similar to that of the original lpH form appears and becomes the dominant signal at pH >9. In addition, both the CW EPR and ESE-detected field-sweep spectra reveal a considerable contribution from a signal similar to that usually detected for the high-pH form of native vertebrate SO ( original hpH form). The nearby exchangeable protons in both of the component forms observed at high-pH were studied by the ESEEM spectroscopy. These results indicate that the Y343F mutation increases the apparent p K a of the transition from the lpH to hpH forms by ∼2 pH units.

Multifrequency Pulsed EPR Studies of Biologically Relevant Manganese(II) Complexes.

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies at multiple frequencies (MF EPR) can provide detailed electronic structure descriptions of unpaired electrons in organic radicals, inorganic complexes, and metalloenzymes. Analysis of these properties aids in the assignment of the chemical environment surrounding the paramagnet and provides mechanistic insight into the chemical reactions in which these systems take part. Herein, we present results from pulsed EPR studies performed at three different frequencies (9, 31, and 130 GHz) on [Mn(II)(H(2)O)(6)](2+), Mn(II) adducts with the nucleotides ATP and GMP, and the Mn(II)-bound form of the hammerhead ribozyme (MnHH). Through line shape analysis and interpretation of the zero-field splitting values derived from successful simulations of the corresponding continuous-wave and field-swept echo-detected spectra, these data are used to exemplify the ability of the MF EPR approach in distinguishing the nature of the first ligand sphere. A survey of recent results from pulsed EPR, as well as pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance and electron spin echo envelope modulation spectroscopic studies applied to Mn(II)-dependent systems, is also presented.

Electron Nuclear Double Resonance Differentiates Complementary Roles for Active Site Histidines in (6-4) Photolyase

(6-4) photolyase catalyzes the light-dependent repair of UV-damaged DNA containing (6-4) photoproducts. Blue light excitation of the enzyme generates the neutral FAD radical, FADH., which is believed to be transiently formed during the enzymatic DNA repair. Here (6-4) photolyase has been examined by optical spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy. Characterization of selected proton hyperfine couplings of FADH., namely those of H(8alpha) and H(1'), yields information on the micropolarity at the site where the DNA substrate is expected to bind. Shifts in the hyperfine couplings as a function of structural modifications induced by point mutations and pH changes distinguish the protonation states of two highly conserved histidines, His(354) and His(358), in Xenopus laevis (6-4) photolyase. These are proposed to catalyze formation of the oxetane intermediate that precedes light-initiated DNA repair. The results show that at pH 9.5, where the enzymatic repair activity is highest, His(358) is deprotonated, whereas His(354) is protonated. Hence, the latter is likely the proton donor that initiates oxetane formation from the (6-4) photoproduct.

Quantitative characterization of the Mn2+ complexes of ADP and ATPγS by W-band ENDOR

W-band (95 GHz) pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) measurements were carried out to determine quantitatively the first coordination shell of Mn2+ with ADP and ATPγS. The intensity of the ENDOR effect was used for counting the number of equivalent phosphate oxygens and water ligands. Titration curves for determining the binding constant of Mn2+. ADP were obtained using the intensity of the X-band EPR spectrum and the31P ENDOR effect. Both curves gave the same binding constant showing that phosphate ligand counting is plausible, provided that an appropriate reference is available. The comparison of the31P ENDOR effect of the 1:1 ADP and ATPγS complexes shows that two phosphates are coordinated in both; while in ADP they are equivalent, in ATPγS they are slightly different. The reference system for water ligand counting was Mn(H2O)62+ in a H2O-D2O mixture. The results show a smaller error for the2H ENDOR effect, compared to the1H ENDOR effect. Unlike the31P ENDOR effect, the1H ENDOR effect dependence on [ADP] in the titration experiments showed that it is sensitive to variations in the zero-field splitting, which in turn alters the contributions of transitions other than the ‖−1/2>↔‖1/2>. This results in a larger error in the determination of the number of water ligands.

Absolute signs of hyperfine coupling constants as determined by pulse ENDOR of polarized radical pairs

A novel method that allows the determination of absolute signs of hyperfine coupling constants in polarized radical pair (RP) pulse electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectra is presented, The variable mixing time (VMT) ENDOR method used here leads to a separation of ENDOR transitions originating from different electron spin manifolds by employing their dependence on the time-dependent parameters of the pulse sequence. The simple kinetic model of the RP VMT ENDOR experiment shows very good agreement with the experiments performed on the P 700 .+ A 1 .- RP in photosystem I. This method relies on the selective excitation of absorptive or emissive lines of one radical in the RP EPR spectrum and therefore requires high spectral resolution. This condition was fulfilled for the system studied at the low-field edge of the RP EPR spectrum obtained at Q-band. The method presented here has a very high sensitivity and does not require any equipment additional to the one used for RP pulse ENDOR. The VMT ENDOR method offers the possibility for selective suppression of signals from different electron spin manifolds.

Phylloquinone and Related Radical Anions Studied by Pulse Electron Nuclear Double Resonance Spectroscopy at 34 GHz and Density Functional Theory

1H hyperfine (hf) coupling constants of semiquinone radical anions of 1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone in frozen alcoholic solutions were measured using pulse Q-band electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy. The resolved signals of the quinone protons as well as from hydrogen bond and solvent shell protons were analyzed and assigned. Both in-plane and out-of-plane hydrogen bonding with respect to the pi-plane of the radical is observed. Interactions with nonexchangeable protons from the surrounding matrix are detected and assigned to solvent protons above and below the quinone plane. Density functional theory was used to calculate spin Hamiltonian parameters of the radical anions. Solvent molecules of the first solvent shell that provide hydrogen bonds to the quinones were included in the geometry optimization. The conductor-like screening model was employed to introduce additional effects of the solvent cage. From a comparison of the experimental and calculated hf tensors it is concluded that four solvent molecules are coordinated via hydrogen bonds to the quinone oxygens. For all radicals very good agreement between experimental and calculated data is observed. The influence of different substituents on the spin density distribution and hydrogen bond geometries is discussed.

Analyzing heme proteins using EPR techniques: the heme-pocket structure of ferric mouse neuroglobin

In this work, an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) strategy to study the heme-pocket structure of low-spin ferric heme proteins is optimized. Frozen solutions of ferric mouse neuroglobin (mNgb) are analyzed by means of electron spin echo envelope modulation and pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance techniques. The hyperfine and nuclear quadrupole couplings of the directly coordinating heme and histidine nitrogens are derived and are discussed in comparison with known data of other ferric porphyrin compounds. In combination with the hyperfine matrices of the imidazole protons, the 14N EPR parameters reveal structural information on the heme pocket of mNgb that is in agreement with previous X-ray diffraction data on neuroglobins.

Substrate binding in quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa studied by electron-nuclear double resonance

Binding of methanol to the quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been studied by pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance at 9 GHz. Shifts in the hyperfine couplings of the pyrroloquinoline quinone radical provide direct evidence for a change in the environment of the cofactor when substrate is present. By performing experiments with deuteriated methanol, we confirmed that methanol was the cause of the effect. Density functional theory calculations show that these shifts can be understood if a water molecule, which is often found in x-ray structures of the active site of quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases, is displaced by the substrate. The difference between the binding of water and methanol is that the water molecule forms a hydrogen bond to O5 of pyrroloquinoline quinone, which the methanol, by virtue of its methyl group, does not. The results support the proposal that aspartate rather than glutamate is the catalytically active base for a hydride transfer mechanism in quinoprotein alcohol dehydrogenases.

Electron paramagnetic resonance and theoretical studies of shallow phosphorous centers in3C-,4H-, and6H−SiC

Continuous-wave (cw) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at both $X$-band and $W$-band frequencies, pulsed-EPR, and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) were used to study phosphorus shallow donors in $3C$-, $4H$-, and $6H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$ doped with phosphorus (P) during chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth. In $3C\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$, a spectrum with ${D}_{2d}$ symmetry and the principal $g$ values, ${g}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}=2.0051$, ${g}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=2.0046$, was detected. The $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ hyperfine (hf) constants of the center, ${A}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}=0.53\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$ and ${A}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=\ensuremath{-}0.13\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$, were determined from pulsed-ENDOR measurements. A doublet with ${C}_{3\mathrm{v}}$ symmetry (${g}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}=2.0065$, ${g}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=2.0006$, and $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ hf constants ${A}_{\ensuremath{\Vert}}=8.24\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$, ${A}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}=5.89\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$) was detected in P-doped $4H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$. In the $6H$ polytype, the same ${\mathrm{P}}_{1}$ and ${\mathrm{P}}_{2}$ doublets [Greulich-Weber, Phys. Status Solidi A 162, 95 (1997)] or $d{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{h}}$, $d{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{c}1}$, and $d{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{c}2}$ doublets [Baranov et al., Phys. Rev. B 66, 165206 (2002)] previously reported in material doped with P by neutron transmutation were detected. Our cw-EPR, two-dimensional EPR, and electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) results confirm that the $d{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{c}1}$ and $d{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{c}2}$ doublets are related to different allowed and forbidden transitions of the ${\mathrm{P}}_{2}$ center with $S=1∕2$ and $I=1∕2$. Based on the observed $^{31}\mathrm{P}$ hf interaction (for three polytypes) and the $^{13}C$ hf interaction with nearest neighbors (for $4H$- and $6H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$), the P-related spectra are assigned to the ground states of the isolated shallow P at Si site. The valley-orbit splitting of the shallow P donors was estimated from the temperature dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation time and of the cw-EPR signal intensities. Based on the ab initio supercell calculations of the spin localizations on the P atom and the nearest C neighbors in $4H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$ and the similarity between the spectra in the $4H$ and $6H$ polytypes, we reassign the spectrum in $4H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$ to the shallow P donor at the quasicubic site $({\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{k}})$ and the two doublets ${\mathrm{P}}_{1}$ and ${\mathrm{P}}_{2}$ in $6H\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{SiC}$ to the shallow P donors at two quasicubic sites, ${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{k}1}$ and ${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{k}2}$, respectively.

Electronic Structure of Binuclear Mixed Valence Copper Azacryptates Derived from Integrated Advanced EPR and DFT Calculations

Binuclear, mixed valence copper complexes with a [Cu(+1)(.5), Cu(+1)(.5)] redox state and S = (1)/(2) can be stabilized with rigid azacryptand ligands. In this system the unpaired electron is delocalized equally over the two copper ions, and it is one of the very few synthetic models for the electron mediating Cu(A) site of nitrous oxide reductase and cytochrome c oxidase. The spatial and electronic structures of the copper complex in frozen solution were obtained from the magnetic interactions, namely the g-tensor and the (63,65)Cu, (14)N, (2)H, and (1)H hyperfine couplings, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The magnetic interactions were determined from continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), two-dimensional TRIPLE, and hyperfine sublevel correlation spectroscopy (HYSCORE) carried out at W-band or/and X-band frequencies. The DFT calculated g and Cu hyperfine values were in good agreement with the experimental values showing that the structure in solution is indeed close to that of the optimized structure. Then, the DFT calculated hyperfine parameters were used as guidelines and starting points in the simulations of the various experimental ENDOR spectra. A satisfactory agreement with the experimental results was obtained for the (14)N hyperfine and quadrupole interactions. For (1)H the DFT calculations gave good predictions for the hyperfine tensor orientations and signs, and they were also successful in reproducing trends in the magnitude of the various proton hyperfine couplings. These, in turn, were very useful for ENDOR signals assignments and served as constraints on the simulation parameters.

Matrix effects on copper(ii)phthalocyanine complexes. A combined continuous wave and pulse EPR and DFT study

The effect of the electron withdrawing or donating character of groups located at the periphery of the phthalocyanine ligand, as well as the influence of polar and nonpolar solvents are of importance for the redox chemistry of metal phthalocyanines. Continuous wave and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance and pulse electron nuclear double resonance spectroscopy at X- and Q-band are applied to investigate the electronic structure of the complexes Cu(II)phthalocyanine (CuPc), copper(II) 2,9,16,23-tetra-tert-butyl-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (CuPc(t)), and copper(II) 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11,15,16,17,18,22,23,24,25-hexadecafluoro-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (CuPc(F)) in various matrices. Isotope substitutions are used to determine the g values, the copper hyperfine couplings and the hyperfine interactions with the 14N, 1H and 19F nuclei of the macrocycle and the surrounding matrix molecules. Simulations and interpretations of the spectra are shown and discussed, and a qualitative analysis of the data using previous theoretical models is given. Density functional computations facilitate the interpretation of the EPR parameters. The experimental g, copper and nitrogen hyperfine and nuclear quadrupole values are found to be sensitive to changes of the solvent and the structure of the macrocycle. To elucidate the electronic, structural and bonding properties the changes in the g principal values are related to data from UV/Vis spectroscopy and to density functional theory (DFT) computations. The analysis of the EPR data indicates that the in-plane metal-ligand sigma bonding is more covalent for CuPc(t) in toluene than in sulfuric acid. Furthermore, the out-of-plane pi bonding is found to be less covalent in the case of a polar sulfuric acid environment than with nonpolar toluene or H2Pc environment, whereby the covalency of this bonding is increased upon addition of tert-butyl groups. No contribution from in-plane pi bonding is found.

High field ENDOR as a characterization tool for functional sites in microporous materials

The determination of the details of the spatial and electronic structure of functional sites (centers) in any system, be it in materials chemistry or in biology, is the first step towards understanding their function. When such sites happen to be paramagnetic in any point of their activity cycle, the tool box offered by a variety of high resolution electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic techniques becomes very attractive for their characterization. This tool box has been considerably expanded by the developments in high field (HF) EPR in general, and HF electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), in particular. These have led to numerous new applications in the fields of biology, physics, chemistry and materials sciences. This overview focuses specifically on recent applications of pulsed HF ENDOR spectroscopy to microporous materials, such as zeotype materials, presenting the new opportunities it offers. First, a brief description of the theoretical basis required for the analysis of the HF ENDOR spectrum is given, followed by a description of the pulsed techniques used to record spectra and assign the signals, along with a brief presentation of the required instrumentation. Next, specific applications are given, including transition metal ions and complexes exchanged into zeolite cages, transition metal substitution into frameworks of zeolites, aluminophosphate molecular sieves, and silicious mesoporous materials, the interaction of NO with Lewis sites in zeolite cages and trapped S. We end with a discussion of the advantages and the shortcomings of the method and conclude with a future outlook.

PULSED ENDOR-BASED QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING

Pulsed Electron Nuclear DOuble Resonance (pulsed ENDOR) has been studied for realization of quantum algorithms, emphasizing the implementation of organic molecular entities with an electron spin and a nuclear spin for quantum information processing. The scheme has been examined in terms of quantum information processing. Particularly, superdense coding has been implemented from the experimental side and the preliminary results are represented as theoretical expectations.

Electron Spin−Echo Envelope Modulation and Pulse Electron Nuclear Double Resonance Studies of Cu2+···β-Carotene Interactions in Cu-MCM-41 Molecular Sieves

Perdeuterated all-trans beta-carotene imbedded in activated Cu-MCM-41 was examined by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopies. The EPR study showed that complexation and electron transfer between Cu2+ and deuterated beta-carotene occurs. The interaction was confirmed by detecting the spin-echo modulation of deuterium in the ESEEM spectra of Cu2+. Ratio analysis of ESEEM was used to determine the number of deuterons which interact with Cu2+ and the distance between deuteron(s) and Cu2+. The bonding site of beta- carotene determined by ESEEM and pulse electron nuclear double resonance is the C15=C15' double bond.

Unambiguous Determination of theg-Matrix Orientation in a Neutral Flavin Radical by Pulsed Electron−Nuclear Double Resonance at 94 GHz

The recent observation of photoinduced radical pairs comprising a flavin radical and an oxidized amino acid residue in various blue-light-sensitive proteins has highlighted the need to gain a more complete understanding of the electronic structure of flavin radicals. In particular, precise knowledge of the anisotropy of the Zeeman interaction quantified by the g-tensor is necessary for attaining an unambiguous identification of flavin radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). In a recent study of a protein-bound neutral flavin radical, we have determined the principal values of the g-tensor using high-frequency/high magnetic field EPR performed at 360 GHz/12.8 T. However, in those experiments, the orientation of the principal axes of g could not be unambiguously established with respect to the molecular frame of the isoalloxazine moiety. In this contribution we resolve this ambiguity by pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) at 95 GHz/3.5 T (W-band). At such high values of the microwave frequency and the magnetic field, the g anisotropy provides improved spectral resolution compared to an ENDOR experiment performed at conventional 9.5 GHz/0.35 mT (X-band). This enables one to utilize Zeeman magnetoselection to obtain single-crystal-like data from disordered samples in frozen solution. Experiments exploiting this orientation selection have allowed us to use the hyperfine coupling of the methyl protons at C(8alpha) of the isoalloxazine ring to determine the angle between the molecular frame and the principal axes of g. Quite surprisingly, the g-tensor in FADH* is not oriented as one would have expected for a 1,3-semibenzoquinone radical. For the latter, the X-axis of g commonly bisects the smaller angle between the two axes along the C=O bonds. In FADH*, the large spin density on N(5) and C(4a) apparently contributes to a significant (44 degrees ) reorientation of the g-tensor axes.