Determination by high-frequency and -field EPR of zero-field splitting in iron(IV) oxo complexes: implications for intermediates in nonheme iron enzymes.

[Fe(IV)O](2+) species have been implicated as the active form of many nonheme iron enzymes. The electronic structures of iron(IV) oxo complexes are thus of great interest. High-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance is employed to determine accurately the spin Hamiltonian parameters of two stable complexes that contain the FeO unit: [FeO(TMC)(CH 3CN)](CF 3SO 3) 2, where TMC = tetramethylcyclam and [FeO(N4py)](CF 3SO 3) 2, where N4Py = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine. Both complexes exhibit zero-field splittings that are positive, almost perfectly axial, and of very large magnitude: D = +26.95(5) and +22.05(5) cm (-1), respectively. These definitive experimental values can serve as the basis for further computational studies to unravel the electronic structures of such complexes.