EPR and NMR Spectra as Probes of Spin-Density Distribution in Heterocyclic Ligands Coordinated in trans-[L(Im)(NH3)4RuIII]: Implications for Long-Range Electron Transfer. Crystal Structure of trans-[(Im)2(NH3)4Ru]Cl3·H2O

K. J. LaChance-Galang, M. J. Clarke, U. Rao, A. Yamano, Peter E. Doan*, Brian M. Hoffman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spectroscopic studies of trans-[(L)(Im)(NH3)4RIII], where Im = imidazole and L = isonicotinamide (Isn), pyridine (Py), Im, NH3, Cl-, and SO42-, indicate that π-bonding by the trans ligand significantly affects mixing of the dπ—π (imidazole) orbitals. Analysis of the EPR spectra provides a description of the frontier dπ orbitals involved in electron transfer and estimates of Δ and V (the tetragonal and rhombic distortion parameters, respectively), all of which vary with the π-donor abilities of L. As Δ and V are of the same magnitude as the the spin—orbit coupling parameter, λ, there is extensive spin-orbit mixing of the dxz and dyz and (to a lesser extent) the dxyorbitals. Reduction potentials and energies of imidazole → RuIII charge transfer transitions correlate linearly with the π-donor/acceptor ability of L so that a correlation is also evident between these properties and the ligand field splitting of the t2g manifold, which leads to an unsuspected correlation between the difference between the two largest g values, Δg12, and E°. Electronic perturbations appear to be transmitted to C5 on the imidazole ring, which is the site linked to Ru-modified proteins used as probes of long-range electron transfer. This implies that variations of the ligand in the trans position to modify the E° for the RIII/IIcouple can also affect the superexchange coupling involved in electron transfer. trans-[(Im)2(NH3)4RuIII]Cl3·H2O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P21/n (No. 14), with cell parameters a = 18.111(9) Å, b = 7.187(2) Å, c = 14.352(7) Å, β = 113.26(4)°, and Z = 4 and exhibits an eclipsed conformation of the imidazole rings. MM2 and IEHT calculations suggest why the eclipsed conformation is slightly favored over the staggered and that the imidazole rings freely rotate in solution.

Original languageFrench
Pages (from-to)3529-3538
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume117
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1995

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Cite this