Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Proton Transfer and Protein Conformation Dynamics in Photosensitive Proteins by Time-resolved Step-scan Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: June 27, 2014
Development of an Iron(II) Complex Exhibiting Thermal- and Photoinduced Double Proton-Transfer-Coupled Spin
Takumi Nakanishi1, Yuta Hori2, Yasuteru Shigeta2
1Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering & IRCCS, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
Abstract:
Multiple proton transfer (PT) controllable by external stimuli plays a crucial role in fundamental chemistry, biological activity, and material science. However, in crystalline systems, controlling multiple PT, which results in a distinct protonation state, remains challenging. In this study, we developed a novel tridentate ligand and iron(II) complex with a short hydrogen bond (HB) that exhibits a PT-coupled spin transition (PCST). Single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction measurements revealed that the positions of the two protons in the complex can be controlled by temperature and photoirradiation based on the thermal- and photoinduced PCST. The obtained results suggest that designing molecules that form short HBs is a promising approach for developing multiple PT systems in crystals.
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Valence Bond Theory
Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the...
NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...

