On the Electronic Structure of Cu Chlorophyllin and Its Breakdown Products: A Carbon K-Edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Study

Description

Using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, the carbon backbone of sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC), a widely used chlorophyll derivative, and its breakdown products are analyzed to elucidate their electronic structure and physicochemical properties. Using various sample preparation methods and complementary spectroscopic methods (including UV/Vis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), a comprehensive insight into the SCC breakdown process is presented. The experimental results are supported by density functional theory calculations, allowing a detailed assignment of characteristic NEXAFS features to specific C bonds. SCC can be seen as a model system for the large group of porphyrins; thus, this work provides a novel and detailed description of the electronic structure of the carbon backbone of those molecules and their breakdown products. The achieved results also promise prospective optical pump/X-ray probe investigations of dynamic processes in chlorophyll-containing photosynthetic complexes to be analyzed more precisely.

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German Minister für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) 05KS4WE1/6, 05KS7WE1

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Europen Union 701647

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Czech Science Foundation. GACR P501/12/G055

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