Experimental and Theoretical High Energy Resolution Hard X-ray Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy on Biomimetic Cu2S2 Complexes.

High energy resolution fluorescence detected X-ray absorption near edge structure (HERFD-XANES) and Valence-to-Core X-ray emission (VtC-XES) spectroscopy are established as hard X-ray methods to investigate complexes that might be relevant as mimics for the biologically important CuA site. By investigation of three carefully selected complexes of the type [Cu2(NGuaS)2X2], characterized by a cyclic Cu2S2 core portion and a varying adjunct ligand nature, it is proven that the HERFD-XANES and VtC-XES measurements in combination with extensive TD-DFT calculations can reveal details of the electronic states in such complexes, including HOMO and LUMO levels and spin states. By theoretical spectroscopy, the value of this methodic combination for future in situ studies is demonstrated.