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Ultrafast Photochemical Dynamics of Dinitrosyl Iron Complexes Investigated by Femtosecond Time-Resolved Infrared
Hojeong Yoon1, Juhyang Shin1, Seongchul Park1,2
1Department of Chemistry and Chemistry Institute for Functional Materials, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) photochemistry was studied. Most excited DNICs returned to the ground state, while some released nitric oxide (NO), paving the way for novel NO-donor therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Photochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Dinitrosyl iron complexes (DNICs) are key nitric oxide (NO) metabolites.
- DNICs are potential platforms for NO-donor photochemical vehicles.
- The photochemical dynamics of DNICs remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the photoexcitation dynamics of a specific mononuclear DNIC.
- To elucidate the relaxation and dissociation pathways of excited DNICs.
- To understand the subsequent reactions of photogenerated species.
Main Methods:
- Femtosecond infrared spectroscopy in D2O solution.
- Photoexcitation at 400 nm.
- Kinetic analysis of relaxation and dissociation processes.
Main Results:
- ~70% of excited DNIC relaxed to the ground state (270 ps).
- ~30% dissociated to release NO- (630 ps).
- A mononitrosyl iron complex intermediate was identified and its reaction kinetics determined (1.3 × 10^7 M^-1s^-1).
Conclusions:
- Detailed photochemical dynamics of DNICs were elucidated.
- The findings provide a foundation for developing tunable NO-donor agents.
- Potential therapeutic applications for controlled NO release were highlighted.
