Dynamic Jahn–Teller Effect in the Metastable High-Spin State of Solvated [Fe(terpy) 2 ] 2+
Characterizing structural distortions in the metastable spin states of d4- 11 d7 transition metal ion complexes is crucial to understand the nature of their bistability 12 and eventually control their switching dynamics. In particular, the impact of the Jahn- 13 Teller effect needs to be assessed for any electronic configuration that could be 14 effectively degenerate, as in e.g. the high-spin (HS) manifold of highly symmetric 15 homoleptic FeII complexes. However, capturing its manifestations remains challenging 16 since crystallization generally alters the molecular conformations and their 17 interconversion. With the rapid progress of ultrafast X-ray absorption spectroscopy, it 18 is now possible to collect data with unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio, opening up for 19 detailed structural characterization of transient species in the homogeneous solution phase. By combining the analysis of 20 picosecond X-ray absorption spectra with DFT simulations, the structure of the photoinduced HS state is elucidated for solvated 21 [Fe(terpy)2]2+ (terpy = 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine). This species can be viewed as the average 5B structure in D2 symmetry that 22 originates from a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the HS manifold. These results evidence the active role played by this particular 23 instance of vibronic coupling in the formation of the HS state for this benchmark molecule. Ultimately, correlating the interplay 24 between intramolecular and intermolecular degrees of freedom to conformational strain and distortions in real time should 25 contribute to the development of advanced functionalities in transition metal ion complexes.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Swedish Research Council (SRC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1392603
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Physical Chemistry. C, Vol. 119, Issue 6; ISSN 1932-7447
- Publisher:
- American Chemical Society
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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