Model of the Oxygen Evolving Complex Which Is Highly Predisposed to O-O Bond Formation.

Light-driven water oxidation is a fundamental reaction in the biosphere. The Mn4Ca cluster of photosystem II cycles through five redox states termed S0-S4, after which oxygen is evolved. Critically, the timing of O-O bond formation within the Kok cycle remains unknown. By combining recent crystallographic, spectroscopic, and DFT results, we demonstrate an atomistic S3 state model with the possibility of a low barrier to O-O bond formation prior to the final oxidation step. Furthermore, the associated one electron oxidized S4 state does not provide more advantages in terms of spin alignment or the energy of O-O bond formation. We propose that a high energy peroxide isoform of the S3 state can preferentially be oxidized by Tyr zox in the course of final electron transfer leading to O2 evolution. Such a mechanism may explain the peculiar kinetic behavior of O2 evolution as well as serve as an evolutionary adaptation to avoid release of the harmful peroxides.