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

[Fe^IVO]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 Fe=O unit: [FeO(TMC)(CH ₃CN)](CF₃SO₃)₂, where TMC = tetramethylcyclam and [FeO(N4py)](CF₃SO₃)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.