| 1. |
- Banerjee, Ambar, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Accessing metal-specific orbital interactions in C–H activation with resonant inelastic X-ray scattering
- 2024
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Ingår i: Chemical Science. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2041-6520 .- 2041-6539. ; 15:7, s. 2398-2409
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Photochemically prepared transition-metal complexes are known to be effective at cleaving the strong C–H bonds of organic molecules in room temperature solutions. There is also ample theoretical evidence that the two-way, metal to ligand (MLCT) and ligand to metal (LMCT), charge-transfer between an incoming alkane C–H group and the transition metal is the decisive interaction in the C–H activation reaction. What is missing, however, are experimental methods to directly probe these interactions in order to reveal what determines reactivity of intermediates and the rate of the reaction. Here, using quantum chemical simulations we predict and propose future time-resolved valence-to-core resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (VtC-RIXS) experiments at the transition metal L-edge as a method to provide a full account of the evolution of metal–alkane interactions during transition-metal mediated C–H activation reactions. For the model system cyclopentadienyl rhodium dicarbonyl (CpRh(CO)2), we demonstrate, by simulating the VtC-RIXS signatures of key intermediates in the C–H activation pathway, how the Rh-centered valence-excited states accessible through VtC-RIXS directly reflect changes in donation and back-donation between the alkane C–H group and the transition metal as the reaction proceeds via those intermediates. We benchmark and validate our quantum chemical simulations against experimental steady-state measurements of CpRh(CO)2 and Rh(acac)(CO)2 (where acac is acetylacetonate). Our study constitutes the first step towards establishing VtC-RIXS as a new experimental observable for probing reactivity of C–H activation reactions. More generally, the study further motivates the use of time-resolved VtC-RIXS to follow the valence electronic structure evolution along photochemical, photoinitiated and photocatalytic reactions with transition metal complexes.
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| 2. |
- Banerjee, Ambar, et al.
(författare)
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Photoinduced bond oscillations in ironpentacarbonyl give delayed synchronous bursts of carbonmonoxide release
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Early excited state dynamics in the photodissociation of transition metal carbonyls determines the chemical nature of short-lived catalytically active reaction intermediates. However, time-resolved experiments have not yet revealed mechanistic details in the sub-picosecond regime. Hence, in this study the photoexcitation of ironpentacarbonyl Fe(CO)5 is simulated with semi-classical excited state molecular dynamics. We find that the bright metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) transition induces synchronous Fe-C oscillations in the trigonal bipyramidal complex leading to periodically reoccurring release of predominantly axial CO. Metaphorically the photoactivated Fe(CO)5 acts as a CO geyser, as a result of dynamics in the potential energy landscape of the axial Fe-C distances and non-adiabatic transitions between manifolds of bound MLCT and dissociative metal-centered (MC) excited states. The predominant release of axial CO ligands and delayed release of equatorial CO ligands are explained in a unified mechanism based on the σ*(Fe-C) anti-bonding character of the receiving orbital in the dissociative MC states.
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| 3. |
- Banerjee, Ambar, et al.
(författare)
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Spectroscopic Signature of Dynamical Instability of the Aqueous Complex in the Brown-Ring Nitrate Test
- 2022
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Ingår i: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 28:54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The chemistry of the brown-ring test has been investigated for nearly a century. Though recent studies have focused on solid state structure determination and measurement of spectra, mechanistic details and kinetics, the aspects of solution structure and dynamics remain unknown. We have studied structural fluctuations of the brown-ring complex in aqueous solution with ab-initio molecular dynamics simulations, from which we identified that the classically established pseudo-octahedral [Fe(H2O)5(NO)]2+ complex is present along with a square-pyramidal [Fe(H2O)4(NO)]2+ complex. Based on the inability in multi-reference calculations to reproduce the experimental UV-vis spectra in aqueous solution by inclusion of thermal fluctuations of the [Fe(H2O)5(NO)]2+ complex alone, we propose the existence of an equilibrium between pseudo-octahedral and square-pyramidal complexes. Despite challenges in constructing models reproducing the solid-state UV-vis spectrum, the advanced spectrum simulation tool motivates us to challenge the established picture of a sole pseudo-octahedral complex in solution.
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| 4. |
- Coates, Michael R., 1994-
(författare)
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Fundamental interactions in transition metal reactions
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Transition metal complexes that participate in homogeneous reactions often perform the role of a catalyst, facilitating novel reaction pathways. When these complexes are pushed away from their equilibrium, the arrangement of the coordinating ligands around the metal center is perturbed and new reaction pathways are opened. By using a light-induced “trigger” to push the metal complex away from its equilibrium, this process can be initiated with precision. This thesis is concerned with the theoretical understanding of light-induced “triggered” reactions that generate transient, short-lived photoproducts in solution, capable of reacting with the surrounding solvent medium. A combination of theoretical and experimental tools are employed to give precise information about the formation and decay of these transient photoproducts.In an effort to understand the innate differences between a broad range of transition metal complexes, electron configurations of the metal and its coordinating ligands are a natural starting point. These distinct electronic structures define the physical structure of the transition metal complex and explain the reactivity or lack of reactivity of the transition metal complex. To describe these electronic structures, robust quantum chemistry methods are required. Coinciding with these methods is a theoretical framework that aims to simulate the evolution of molecules by means of a molecular dynamics simulation.The present work involves the study of ironpentacarbonyl or Fe(CO)5 which we use to explain the reactive landscape of a broad class of carbonyl coordinated transition metal complexes. The part of the thesis devoted to Fe(CO)5 is divided into distinct sections (i) the short-time (femtosecond-to-picosecond) gas-phase excited state molecular dynamics that produces the transient species, (ii) the long-time (picosecond-to-nanosecond) liquid-phase ground state molecular dynamics which describes the intermediates formed by the transient species and (iii) the experimental probes of the former sections. A final part of the thesis connects carbonyl containing metal complexes to another broad and detailed class of nitrosyl containing metal complexes.
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| 5. |
- Coates, Michael R., et al.
(författare)
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Simulations of the Aqueous "Brown-Ring" Complex Reveal Fluctuations in Electronic Character
- 2023
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Ingår i: Inorganic Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0020-1669 .- 1520-510X. ; 62:41, s. 16854-16866
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of the aqueous [Fe(H2O)(5)(NO)](2+) "brown-ring" complex in different spin states, in combination with multiconfigurational quantum chemical calculations, show a structural dependence on the electronic character of the complex. Sampling in the quartet and sextet ground states show that the multiplicity is correlated with the Fe-N distance. This provides a motivation for a rigid Fe-N scan in the isolated "brown-ring" complex to investigate how the multiconfigurational wave function and the electron density change around the FeNO moiety. Our results show that subtle changes in the Fe-N distance produce a large response in the electronic configurations underlying the quartet wave function. However, while changes in spin density and potential energy are pronounced, variations in charge are negligible. These trends within the FeNO moiety are preserved in structural sampling of the AIMD simulations, despite distortions present in other degrees of freedom in the bulk solution.
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| 6. |
- Coates, Michael R.
(författare)
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Structure, dynamics and reactivity of low-oxidation state iron complexes in solution studied by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and advanced quantum chemistry calculations.
- 2022
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Third row (3d) metals, such as iron have become a candidate for a broad class of photocatalysts that have a large abundance on Earth and a low toxicity to humans and the environment. Unlike many commonly used photocatalysts that contain expensive precious metals, iron is cheap. Many important chemical processes such as the Haber-Bosch process or the Fenton’s reagent have employed an iron catalyst, however, in terms of metal complex photochemistry, this has been overshadowed by 4d and 5d metals with large affinities for unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons. In an effort to understand the innate differences between a broad range of transition metals, electron configurations of the metal and its’ coordinating ligands are a natural starting point. The d-block orbitals can accommodate at most 10 electrons, while the splittings between the occupied and unoccupied orbitals are determined by the metal and the type of coordinating ligands. This often produces complicated electronic structures, with multiple low-lying spin states that can couple. To describe these electronic structures, robust quantum chemistry methods are required which can describe many geometric configurations of a metal complex in a variety of bonding conifgurations. Often these methods are coupled with dynamical simulation tools that can probe molecular processes in both the ground and excited electronic states in an isolated and bulk liquid environment.The present work aims to address many of these points by considering two different iron complexes: the brown-ring complex ([Fe(H2O)5(NO)]2+) and ironpentacarbonyl (Fe(CO)5). In the brown-ring complex, the ground state molecular dynamics (GSMD) have been simulated using Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) and the electronic properties have been presented. It is shown that a dynamical equilibrium between species have a unique spectroscopic signature, while the multireference character of the complex in the electronic ground state reveals a unique bondingconfiguration. In ironpentacarbonyl the excited state molecular dynamics (ESMD) have been performed to understand the mechanistic details that promote dissociation of one or more carbonyl ligands following excitation. In parallel to this study, the reactivity of the molecular fragments with the surrounding solvent molecules have been characterized.
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| 7. |
- Coates, Michael R., 1994-, et al.
(författare)
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Theoretical Investigation of Transient Species Following Photodissociation of Ironpentacarbonyl in Ethanol Solution
- 2024
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Ingår i: Inorganic Chemistry. - 0020-1669 .- 1520-510X. ; 63:23, s. 10634-10647
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Photodissociation of ironpentacarbonyl [Fe-1(CO)(5)] in solution generates transient species in different electronic states, which we studied theoretically. From ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in ethanol solution, the closed-shell parent compound Fe-1(CO)(5) is found to interact weakly with the solvent, whereas the irontetracarbonyl [Fe(CO)(4)] species, formed after photodissociation, has a strongly spin-dependent behavior. It coordinates a solvent molecule tightly in the singlet state [Fe-1(CO)(4)] and weakly in the triplet state [Fe-3(CO)(4)]. From the simulations, we have gained insights into intersystem crossing in solvated irontetracarbonyl based on the distinct structural differences induced by the change in multiplicity. Alternative forms of coordination between Fe-1(CO)(4) and functional groups of the ethanol molecule are simulated, and a quantum chemical investigation of the energy landscape for the coordinated irontetracarbonyl gives information about the interconversion of different transient species in solution. Furthermore, insights from the simulations, in which we find evidence of a solvent exchange mechanism, challenge the previously proposed mechanism of chain walking for under-coordinated metal carbonyls in solution.
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| 8. |
- Coates, Michael R., 1994-, et al.
(författare)
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Theoretical Investigation of Transient Speciesfollowing Photodissociation of Ironpentacarbonylin Ethanol Solution
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Photodissociation of ironpentacarbonyl in solution generates transient species indifferent electronic states, which we have studied theoretically. From ab initio moleculardynamics simulations in ethanol solutions, the close-shell parent compound 1Fe(CO)5 is found to interact weakly with the solvent, whereas the irontetracarbonyl species,formed after photodissociation, has a strongly spin-dependent behavior. It coordinatesa solvent molecule tightly in the singlet state (1Fe(CO)4) and weakly in the tripletstate (3Fe(CO)4). Alternative forms of coordination between 1Fe(CO)4 and functionalgroups of the ethanol molecule are simulated, and quantum chemical calculations ofthe energy landscape for the coordinated irontetracarbonyl give information aboutthe inter-conversion of different transient species in solution. Furthermore, insights1from the simulations challenge the previously proposed mechanism of chain walkingfor undercoordinate metal carbonyls in solution. Thereby, we gain insight into bothintersystem crossing in solvated irontetracarbonyl and its exchange in coordinationbetween Fe−OH and Fe−HC.
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| 9. |
- Eckert, Sebastian, et al.
(författare)
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Ultrafast Independent N-H and N-C Bond Deformation Investigated with Resonant Inelastic X-Ray Scattering
- 2017
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Ingår i: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. - : Wiley. - 1433-7851 .- 1521-3773. ; 56:22, s. 6088-6092
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The femtosecond excited-state dynamics following resonant photoexcitation enable the selective deformation of N-H and N-C chemical bonds in 2-thiopyridone in aqueous solution with optical or X-ray pulses. In combination with multiconfigurational quantum-chemical calculations, the orbital-specific electronic structure and its ultrafast dynamics accessed with resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at the N 1s level using synchrotron radiation and the soft X-ray free-electron laser LCLS provide direct evidence for this controlled photoinduced molecular deformation and its ultrashort time-scale.
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| 10. |
- Jay, Raphael M., et al.
(författare)
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Disentangling Transient Charge Density and Metal-Ligand Covalency in Photoexcited Ferricyanide with Femtosecond Resonant Inelastic Soft X-ray Scattering
- 2018
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Ingår i: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1948-7185. ; 9:12, s. 3538-3543
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Soft X-ray spectroscopies are ideal probes of the local valence electronic structure of photocatalytically active metal sites. Here, we apply the selectivity of time resolved resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at the iron L-edge to the transient charge distribution of an optically excited charge-transfer state in aqueous ferricyanide. Through comparison to steady-state spectra and quantum chemical calculations, the coupled effects of valence-shell closing and ligand-hole creation are experimentally and theoretically disentangled and described in terms of orbital occupancy, metal-ligand covalency, and ligand field splitting, thereby extending established steady-state concepts to the excited-state domain. pi-Back-donation is found to be mainly determined by the metal site occupation, whereas the ligand hole instead influences sigma-donation. Our results demonstrate how ultrafast resonant inelastic X-ray scattering can help characterize local charge distributions around catalytic metal centers in short-lived charge-transfer excited states, as a step toward future rationalization and tailoring of photocatalytic capabilities of transition-metal complexes.
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