Interplay of structure and vibrational dynamics in six-coordinate heme nitrosyls

The isolation of two polymorphic forms of nitrosyl(1-methylimidazole)(tetra-p-fluorophenylporphinato)iron(II) provides a unique opportunity to explore the interplay of structure and vibrational dynamics in six-coordinate {FeNO}(7) nitrosyliron porphyrinates. The two species display differing vibrational spectroscopic properties both in nu(NO) (IR) and the iron vibrational modes obtained through the use of nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy. Structural characterization of the two complexes has yielded extremely high-quality structures that further confirm that coordination of NO leads to ligand tilting and asymmetry in the equatorial Fe-N-p bond distances. The two polymorphic structures (monoclinic and triclinic crystal systems) differ in the relative orientations of the two axial ligands and small but significant differences in coordination group bond distances. Although DFT calculations suggest that the NO/imidazole orientations should be indistinguishable, real experimental (structural and vibrational) differences between the two are found. The observed variation in the axial and equatorial Fe-N bonds is strongly correlated to the dynamics of the Fe-NO unit and other motions of iron. Other structural differences appear to have little effect on the vibrational properties of the two forms. The in-plane motions of iron in CO versus NO heme complexes illustrate distinct dynamic differences.