<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">ACES</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2160-0392</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/aces.2017.72011</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">ACES-74579</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  The Effects of Oxidation States, Spin States and Solvents on Molecular Structure, Stability and Spectroscopic Properties of Fe-Catechol Complexes: A Theoretical Study
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Mohammad</surname><given-names>A. Matin</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Mazharul</surname><given-names>M. Islam</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Thomas</surname><given-names>Bredow</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Mohammed</surname><given-names>Abdul Aziz</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3"><sup>3</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Centre for Advanced Studies in Sciences (CARS), Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff3"><addr-line>Department of Chemistry, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>Mulliken Center for Theoretical Chemistry, Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Universit&amp;amp;auml;t Bonn, Bonn, Germany</addr-line></aff><author-notes><corresp id="cor1">* E-mail:<email>rana-islam@thch.uni-bonn.de(MMI)</email>;</corresp></author-notes><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>09</day><month>02</month><year>2017</year></pub-date><volume>07</volume><issue>02</issue><fpage>137</fpage><lpage>153</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>December</day>	<month>31,</month>	<year>2016</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>Accepted:</day>	<month>March</month>	<year>4,</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>March</day>	<month>7,</month>	<year>2017</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  In this study, in order to explain the solvent and spin state effects on the molecular structure of catechol-Fe complex [Fe(cat)
  <sub>3</sub>]
  <sup>n﹣</sup> where n = 2 and 3, Hartree Fock (HF)-Density Functional Theory (DFT) hybrid calculations are performed at the B3LYP/6-311g(d,p) level of theory. The binding energies of Fe
  <sup>2+</sup> and Fe
  <sup>3+</sup> in high-spin state are higher than intermediate and low-spin states which show that the complex formation in a high spin state is more favorable. The calculated binding energies at different solvents indicate that the binding energies in polar solvents are lower than non-polar solvents. Furthermore, spectroscopic studies including FTIR and Raman spectrum in various solvents reveal that the formation of intermolecular bonds between the oxygen atom of carbonyl group and the hydrogen atom of solvent causes a spectral red shift. The calculated FTIR and geometry parameters are in good agreement with previous experimental data. Donor-acceptor interaction energies are evaluated due to the importance of the charge transfer in the complex formation. It is observed that the free electrons of oxygen atom interact with the antibonding orbitals of the iron. Finally, some correlations between the quantum chemical reactivity indices of the complexes and solvent polarity are considered. The study indicates a linear correlation between chemical hardness and binding energies of [Fe(cat)
  <sub>3</sub>]
  <sup>3﹣</sup> complex.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Transition Metal</kwd><kwd> Iron-Catechol</kwd><kwd> HF/DFT Hybrid Method</kwd><kwd> Solvent</kwd><kwd> Reactivity Indices</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Iron is a pivotal nutrient for life which is one of the most abundant elements on the earth. It plays an important role in biological processes such as oxygen transport, energy generation, electron transfer and DNA synthesis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref1">1</xref>] . Iron- containing enzymes make up a large number of the O<sub>2</sub>-activating enzymes, because of the bioavailability of iron in Nature [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref2">2</xref>] . A sufficient supply of Fe is necessary for optimal plant productivity and agricultural product quality [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref3">3</xref>] . In one hand, iron is essential for the correct functioning of all living cells. On the other hand, it becomes toxic when presents in excess. The excess of iron may cause iron overload which is a condition that originates from the aggregation of iron in the body. This problem can be minimized by the iron chelating agents as a chelator prevents to catalyze redox reactions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref4">4</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref5">5</xref>] .</p><p>Catechol, which is a phenolic compound known as pyrocatechol or 1,2-dihy- droxybenzene with the molecular formula C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>4</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>, acts as iron chelating agent [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref6">6</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref7">7</xref>] . Basic solutions of catechol react with iron to form [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup> complexes which have been widely used for the development of satisfactory chelating agents for the treatment of human metal intoxication [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref7">7</xref>] . Because of multiple redox states of iron and a number of open shell spin states in its different common oxidation states, the binding of iron with catechol and other chelating agents has opened up a wide variety of research activities in recent years. The redox chemistry and strong chelating abilities of Fe in the bulk aqueous phase are well established at the fundamental level [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref8">8</xref>] and recently were utilized in functionalizing surfaces and nanoparticles for applications in green chemistry [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref9">9</xref>] and in the development of biomedical and sensing devices [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref12">12</xref>] . Several researchers have attempted for the fabrication of synthetic materials inspired by mussel byssal threads, in order to elucidate the Fe<sup>3+</sup>-catechol interaction mechanisms [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref13">13</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref14">14</xref>] . The coordination between Fe<sup>3+</sup> and catechols is strongly dependent on the pH, and Fe<sup>3+</sup> does not affect a significant covalent crosslinking via oxidation of catechols, in a pH-controlled catechol-Fe<sup>3+</sup> cross-linking polymer [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref15">15</xref>] . However, spectroscopic evidence has linked the presence of Fe<sup>3+</sup> to catechol oxidation for decades [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref16">16</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref17">17</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref18">18</xref>] . It has been reported that catechol- modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers could be covalently cross-linked under acidic pH conditions in the presence of Fe<sup>3+</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref19">19</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref20">20</xref>] . Therefore, the mechanism of interactions between Fe<sup>3+</sup> and catechols must be extensively investigated.</p><p>Recent theoretical study based on HF/DFT hybrid functional has considered the ferric complexes of catecholic ligands which are close to the complexes of the present study [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref21">21</xref>] . The simulations of the Raman spectra of the [Fe(cat<sup>2−</sup>)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> model compound and the enzyme-difference spectra in catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C1<sub>2</sub>O) at B3LYP level were in agreement with experimental results [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref22">22</xref>] . The simulated Raman spectra of the DOPA-modified polyethylene glycol (DOPA- PEG) polymer and Fe<sup>3+</sup> induced complexes of adsorbed Mefp-1 protein film on iron substrate at the B3LYP level were also in agreement with experimental spectra [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref23">23</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref24">24</xref>] . Liu et al. have simulated the Fe<sup>3+</sup>-DOPA mediated bridging at both wet(water) and gas phase conditions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref25">25</xref>] at the B3LYP/LACVP* level of theory. They calculated the entropy, Gibbs free energy and cohesion force for mechanical strength.</p><p>In the present study, we have performed a theoretical investigation on the structure, binding energies, stability and spectroscopic properties of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup> complexes (for Fe(II) and Fe(III) oxidation states) in the gas phase and different solvents using the first principles HF/DFT hybrid approach. The thermodynamic stability of all the possible spin states for both oxidation states is verified. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref26">26</xref>] on [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex is reported, as we have predicted the second-order interaction energies. We have also studied the chemical reactivity indices such as chemical hardness (η) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref27">27</xref>] and electronic chemical potential (μ) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref28">28</xref>] , as determined by using the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap. These findings help us understand the thermody- namic behavior of such systems as a function of the quantum chemistry descriptors.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Computational Details</title><p>The model compounds were subjected to geometry optimizations followed by computations of time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) electronic absorption spectra, IR spectra, and pre-resonance Raman spectra. The geome- tries of the complexes were optimized at the HF/DFT hybrid B3LYP [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref29">29</xref>] level using the 6 - 311 g (d, p) basis set and the stability were confirmed by checking no imaginary frequency. In order to produce reliable resonance in Raman spectra, computation needs to reproduce any electronic absorption band that lies in the vicinity of the excitation wavelength used in the experiment. We tested different exchange correlation functionals and found that the long range corrected CAM-B3LYP [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref30">30</xref>] functional is the best suited to reproduce the charge transfer bands found in complexes between Fe<sup>3+</sup> and catechols. We examined high-spin (HS), intermediate-spin (IS) and low-spin (LS) states which stands for 4, 2 and 0 unpaired electrons and 5, 3 and 1 unpaired electrons for ferrous and ferric complexes respectively. All quantum chemical calculations were performed using the Gaussian 09 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref31">31</xref>] simulation package. The Gauss View 5.0.8 was used for visualization of the structures and simulated vibrational spectra.</p><p>In order to estimate the zero-point vibrational energies (ZPVEs), frequency calculations were performed for all structures in the different spin states. All minimum structures were verified with the real frequencies. Geometry optimization was taken to be converged if the maximum atomic force was smaller than 0.00045 Hartree/Bohr. No symmetry was imposed in all the calculations. The raw vibrational frequencies were scaled by a factor of 0.9668, which produced good agreement with the experiment for a wide range of systems [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref32">32</xref>] .</p><p>Solvent effects were taken into account by the conductor like polarizable continuum model (CPCM) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref33">33</xref>] . Natural bond orbital analysis was performed to provide the appropriate scheme for the metal-ligand interactions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref34">34</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref35">35</xref>] . Molecular orbital analysis was also done to calculate the HOMO-LUMO energy gap and the chemical reactivity indices (η and μ), on the basis of Koopmans [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref36">36</xref>] theorem at the same level of theory.</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Results and Discussion</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Spin State and Structural Analysis</title><p>After the full optimization, the total energy of the considered spin states for both Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup> oxidation states for [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup> complexes are calculated and the relative energy values for all the states are compared in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>. The corresponding calculations were done in the gas phase at high-spin (HS), intermediate-spin (IS) and low-spin (LS) states. In case of Fe<sup>2+</sup> complexes, the relative energies of intermediate-spin and low-spin states are higher than high-spin state by 9.29 and 12.15 kcal∙mol<sup>−1</sup> respectively (see <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>). Similarly, for Fe<sup>3+</sup> complexes, the relative energies at intermediate and low spin states are higher than high-spin states by 6.57 and 7.4 kcal∙mol<sup>−1</sup> respectively. It is observed that the stability of the complexes increase in the order of HS &gt; IS &gt; LS for both Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup> tris-catechol complexes. Due to the increase in the amount of the exact exchange energy, higher spin state with a larger number of unpaired electrons is strongly stabilized compared to the lower spin states [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref37">37</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref38">38</xref>] .</p><p>The metal-ligand binding energies were computed according to Equation (1) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref10">10</xref>] .</p><disp-formula id="scirp.74579-formula120"><label>(1)</label><graphic position="anchor" xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x2.png"  xlink:type="simple"/></disp-formula><p>Here E<sub>complex</sub>, E<sub>metal</sub> and E<sub>ligand</sub> is the energy of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup> complex, metal and ligand respectively. The calculated binding energy values are compared in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>. Based on the calculated binding energies both for Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup> complexes, it</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Calculated relative energy, binding energy and enthalpy (kcalmol<sup>−1</sup>) of the [Fe (cat)<sub> 3</sub>]<sup>n</sup><sup>−</sup> complexes for different spin states in gas phase</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Phase</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Spin State</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Relative Energy</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Binding Energy</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Enthalpy</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Fe<sup>2+</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >LS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >203.53</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >206.73</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >IS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.29</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >206.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >210.50</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >HS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >215.69</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >219.74</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Fe<sup>3+</sup></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >LS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511.75</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >515.24</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >IS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.57</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >512.59</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >516.94</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >HS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >519.15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >523.47</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>is observed that Fe<sup>3+</sup> complexes are more stable than Fe<sup>2+</sup> complexes. In both cases, the values of the binding energy of the high-spin and intermediate-spin state complexes are more negative than the low-spin state complex. In case of Fe<sup>2+</sup>, the low-spin and intermediate spin complexes are less stable than the high-spin state by approximately 12.15 and 9.29 kcal∙mol<sup>−1</sup> respectively. In case of Fe<sup>3+</sup>, the low-spin and intermediate spin complexes are less stable than the high-spin state by approximately 7.4 and 6.57 kcal∙mol<sup>−1</sup> respectively. Compar- ing all the calculated binding energy values, it is concluded that Fe<sup>3+ </sup>at high-spin state is the most preferable to form the iron-catecolate complex. According to Boys-Bernardi counterpoise (CP) correction method [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref39">39</xref>] we have checked the basis set superposition error (BSSE) for the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex of high spin</p><p>state only. The BSSE-corrected energy <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x3.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> (−2408.41 au) is compared with the uncorrected energy <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x4.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> (−2408.48 au). The relative deviation defined as<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x5.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>. The BSSE was within 0.003% of the complex energy which is in the range of computational error [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref40">40</xref>] .</p><p>The effects of temperature and contributions from zero point energy on the calculated formation energies of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup> are explicitly taken into account by additional frequency calculations (at 298.15 K and 1atm pressure). The enthalpy of formation is calculated according to the Equation (1). Based on the calculated enthalpy, it is observed that the correction terms range upto 4.5 kcal∙mol<sup>−1</sup> which is in the acceptable range as observed in previous theoretical studies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref41">41</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref42">42</xref>] . The correction terms do not change the stability of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup><sub> </sub>complexes. Therefore the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex at high-spin state is the most stable among all the considered complexes and employed for further investigation in gas phase and different solvents.</p><p>The geometrical parameters at different spin states for Fe<sup>3+</sup> complexes in gas phase are given in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref> which include the average and standard deviations of the metal−oxygen distances, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x6.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, C-O distances, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x7.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, the angles of O− metal−O triplets, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x8.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, the C-C-O angles, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x9.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>and the angles of metal-O-C, <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x10.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>respectively. The atomic labels are depicted for a [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>. All the<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x11.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>, however, fluctuate significantly from</p><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> Geometry parameters of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex. The metal-O bond lengths (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x12.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>), C-O bond lengths (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x13.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>), the O-metal-O bending angles (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x14.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>), the C-C-O bending angles (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x15.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>) and metal-O-C bending angles (<inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x16.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>) are shown for trivalent metal ion for [Fe (cat)<sub> 3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup>. The average values are listed with the standard deviations in parentheses</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Spin state</th><th align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x17.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>(&#197;)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x18.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>(&#197;)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x19.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>(˚)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x20.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>(˚)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" ><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x21.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula>(˚)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.96 (&#177;0.01)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.31 (&#177;0.00)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >90.08 (&#177;3.91)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >125.05 (&#177;0.09)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >111.64 (&#177;0.42)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >IS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.02 (&#177;0.09)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.30 (&#177;0.01)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >90.17 (&#177;5.72)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >125.04 (&#177;0.65)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >113.07 (&#177;2.37)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >HS</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><sup>a,b</sup>2.06 (&#177;0.00)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.30 (&#177;0.00)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><sup>a,b</sup>90.34 (&#177;7.22)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >125.34 (&#177;0.00)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >114.44 (&#177;0.00)</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p><sup>a</sup>X-ray analysis on a tris-catecholato Fe(III) crystal gave <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x22.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> = 2.015 &#197; and <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x22.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x23.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> = 81.26˚ [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref45">45</xref>] . <sup>b</sup>Theoretical calculation at VWN/DZVP2/A1 level of theory on [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex gave <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x22.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x23.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x24.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> = 2.034 &#197; and <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x22.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x23.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x24.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula><inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x25.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> = 79.5˚ [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref46">46</xref>] .</p><fig id="fig1"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref></label><caption><title> Metal binding to catechol, optimized geometry of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x26.png"/></fig><p>their average values of approximately 90˚. The present <inline-formula><inline-graphic xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x27.png" xlink:type="simple"/></inline-formula> are close to those previously calculated for the hexaaqua complexes of the metal ions ranging from Ti to Fe [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref43">43</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref44">44</xref>] . According to <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref>, the change in the spin state from LS to HS state, increases the M-O bond length. This is due to the occupation of the orbital in the high-spin state.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Solvent Effects on the Binding Energies of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3− </sup></title><p>In order to study the solvent effects on the iron binding with catechol, we have studied [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex at the HS state in various solvents with the increasing dielectric constant including chloroform, acetone, ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, DMSO and water (as shown in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref>). The changes in binding energies in terms of dielectric constants are presented in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>. It is observed that the binding energies decrease as the dielectric constants increase, which is in well</p><fig id="fig2"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref></label><caption><title> The relationship between the binding energy values and solvent dielectric constants</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x28.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Calculated binding energy E<sub>bind</sub> (kcal∙mol<sup>−1</sup>), carbonyl and carbon-carbon stretching frequency of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex in gas phase and different solvents</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Media</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >ε (dielectric constant)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >E<sub>bind</sub><sub> </sub>(kcal∙mol<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Carbonyl stretching frequency (cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Carbon-Carbon stretching frequency (cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Gas</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >-</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−519.15</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1470.72</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1260.25</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Chloroform</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.81</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−200.50</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1454.45</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1235.16</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Acetone</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >20.7</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−134.17</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1450.11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1228.03</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ethanol</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >24.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−130.70</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1449.93</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1227.67</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Methanol</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >32.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−126.82</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1449.76</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1227.24</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Acetonitrile</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >37.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−125.75</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1449.55</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1226.93</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >DMSO</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >46.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−123.06</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1449.40</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1226.08</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Water</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >80</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−119.58</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1449.27</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1225.99</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>agreement with a recent theoretical investigation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref47">47</xref>] . It is due to the fact that, in presence of the solvents the solvation of the complex prevents their effective interactions.</p></sec><sec id="s3_3"><title>3.3. Solvent Effect on the Carbonyl and Carbon-Carbon Stretching Frequency of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3− </sup></title><p>The IR spectra of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex in gas phase as well as solvents are calculated. The C-O and C-C vibrational modes are given in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref>. It is observed that both these modes shift to a lower frequency (red shift) when the solvent polarity increases. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>(a) shows the FTIR spectra of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex at gas phase and solvents (acetone, ethanol and water). We have also checked the FTIR spectra in chloroform, acetonitrile, methanol and DMSO solvents. Two intense peaks appeared at 1260 and 1470 cm<sup>−1</sup> in gas phase and almost near 1226</p><fig-group id="fig3"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref></label><caption><title> (a) FTIR spectrum of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex. (b) Carbonyl stretching and (c) C-C vibrational frequency as a function of the solvent dielectric constant.</title></caption><fig id ="fig3_1"><label> (b)</label><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x29.png"/></fig></fig-group><p>and 1449 cm<sup>−1</sup> at those solvents. Each of these two major peaks have originated from the in-plane deformation mode involving the C-C and C-O stretching and the C-H bending of catecholate. These two major IR peaks are close in frequency to those previously observed for mefp-1 adsorbed on an iron substrate at 1258 and 1485 cm<sup>−1</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref48">48</xref>] and at 1265 and 1487 cm<sup>−1</sup> of DOPA modified tris (DOPA- PEG) Fe(III) complex [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref15">15</xref>] . The high intensities of the present IR peaks arise from the large charge polarization due to the highly positive Fe(III) being surrounded by three negatively charged catecholate ligands. Because of the charge polarization, the vibrations that result in unsymmetrical distortions of the complex induce large dipole moment changes and large IR intensities.</p><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>(b) indicates the relationship between the C-O stretching vibrational frequency and solvent dielectric constant. The differences in the vibrational frequency between the gas phase and the solutions are attributed to the intermolecular bonding between the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group and a hydrogen atom of the solvent [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref49">49</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref50">50</xref>] . The catecholic ring C-C vibrational modes have also shifted to a lower frequency (red shift) when the solvent polarity increases (as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>(c)). In most of the cases, the C-C vibrations occur in two rings out of three rings of the complex.</p></sec><sec id="s3_4"><title>3.4. Solvent Effects on the Pre-Resonance Raman Shifts of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> Complex</title><p>In order to study the effect of solvents on the preresonance Raman intensities, a wide variety of solvents with increasing dielectric constants were used. Using the optimized geometry for every solvent, the excitation wavelength was calculated with TD-DFT method. Using those wavelengths, we calculated preresonance raman with Raman Optical Activity (ROA). <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref> shows the pre-resonance Raman spectra of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> in three different solvents (water, ethanol and chloroform) along with the gas phase. It clearly indicates that, in presence of solvents, the Raman peaks shifted (blue shifts). We have also checked Raman shifts in acetone, methanol, acetonitrile and DMSO solvents. <xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref> lists the Raman peaks with nine strongest intensities. As observed (<xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref>), the vibrational modes have shifted to a higher frequency (blue shift) when the solvent</p><table-wrap id="table4" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table4">Table 4</xref></label><caption><title> Pre-resonance Raman shifts (cm<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>) for the present Tris-catecholato [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex along with the Resonance Raman peaks previously measured for the synthetic and natural cross-linked structures</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >solvent</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Preresonance raman (theoretical)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Exp. Raman</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Gas</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >503, 600, 608, 759, 1098, 1278, 1312, 1485, 1519</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Chloroform</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 618, 1118, 1232, 1315, 1472, 1537</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Acetone</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 619, 769, 1073, 1120, 1222, 1312, 1465, 1543</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ethanol</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 620, 769, 1073, 1120, 1222, 1311, 1465, 1542</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Methanol</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 620, 769, 1073, 1120, 1221, 1311, 1465, 1543</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Acetonitrile</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 620, 769, 1073, 1120, 1221, 1311, 1465, 1543</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Dmso</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 620, 769, 1120, 1220, 1310, 1464, 1543</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Water</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >511, 620, 769, 1073, 1120, 1220, 1311, 1464, 1543</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ><sup>a</sup>529, 584, 634, 1270, 1324, 1422, 1484 <sup>b</sup>533, 621, 800, 1154, 1258, 1320, 1487, 1572 <sup>c</sup>531, 591, 638, 815, 1152, 1274, 1326, 1426, 1491, 1571 <sup>d</sup>550, 596, 637, 1270, 1322, 1423, 1476</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p><sup>a</sup>Synthetic tris(DOPA-PEG) Fe(III) complex formed at pH ≈ 12 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref15">15</xref>] . <sup>b</sup>Synthetic tris-catecholato Fe(III) complex [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref48">48</xref>] . <sup>c</sup>Synthetic pink form of MAP cross-linked by forming complexes with Fe(III) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref51">51</xref>] . <sup>d</sup>Mussel cuticle cross-linked by forming complexes with Fe(III) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref16">16</xref>] .</p><fig id="fig4"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref></label><caption><title> Pre-resonance Raman spectra of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex calculated using an electronic excitation wavelength of 521 nm</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x30.png"/></fig><p>polarity has increased. The present calculation agrees reasonably with the previous Raman experiments on the synthetic and natural cross-linked MAPs, where the low-frequency (512 - 614 cm<sup>−1</sup>) modes arose from the chelation of Fe by catecholate [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref15">15</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s3_5"><title>3.5. Solvent Effect on the UV-Visible Spectra</title><p><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref> shows the UV-vis absorption spectrum of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex. The strongest peak was observed at 521 nm in gas phase. The absorption maximum</p><fig id="fig5"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref></label><caption><title> UV-vis absorption spectrum of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x31.png"/></fig><p>was located at 521 nm, agreeing with the experimental wavelength (492 nm) of the maximum peak found for the tris(DOPA-PEG) Fe(III) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref15">15</xref>] and 490 nm for tris catechol-iron complex [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref52">52</xref>] . We have also checked the absorption maximum at different solvents including chloroform, acetone, ethanol, acetonitrile, methanol, DMSO and water. In all cases, the maximum transition wavelength is obtained at 523 nm.</p><p>To characterize the electronic transitions, five frontier MOs were pictorized ranging from the highest occupied MO-2(HOMO-2) to the lowest unoccupied MO + 1(LUMO + 1) (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>). The absorption maximum at 521 nm originated mostly (96%) from HOMO to LUMO transition in gas phase. In HOMO transition, the electron density existed mostly over three catecholate ligands. In the LUMO (as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>), the electron density has largely moved out of the catecholates into the Fe ion. Therefore the strongest peak in the UV-vis spectra has originated clearly from ligand-to-metal charge transfer.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. NBO Analysis</title><p>In the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, the electronic wave function is elucidated in terms of occupied Lewis and unoccupied Lewis localized orbitals. The strength of donor-acceptor interactions, E(2), are evaluated by second-order perturbation theory [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref53">53</xref>] . <xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref> summarizes the E(2) values of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> in different solvents for the important NBO interactions. The most important interaction energies of these complexes are due to the interactions between the lone pair electrons of the O atom (LPO) and antibonding orbital of the Fe<sup>3+</sup>(LP<sub>*Fe</sub>). According to <xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref>, E(2) values increase with an increase in the solvent polarity. Therefore, donor-acceptor interaction energies are the greatest values in the water solvent.</p><fig id="fig6"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref></label><caption><title> Frontier MOs of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex. The H, C, and O atoms are shown as white, gray, and red spheres, respectively. The orbital lobes shown in green and red represent the opposite phases</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x32.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table5" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table5">Table 5</xref></label><caption><title> Significant donor-acceptor interaction energies of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex in different solvent media</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >Donor-acceptor interaction</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Gas phase</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Chloroform</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Acetone</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Ethanol</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Methanol</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Acetonitrile</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >DMSO</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Water</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LP<sub>O8</sub>→LP*<sub>Fe </sub></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.21</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.85</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.03</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.04</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.06</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.10</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LP<sub>O9</sub>→LP*<sub>Fe</sub></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.21</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.84</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.99</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.05</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.06</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LP<sub>O19</sub>→LP*<sub>Fe</sub></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.21</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.84</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.03</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.03</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.06</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LP<sub>O20</sub>→LP*<sub>Fe</sub></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.21</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.85</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.99</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.03</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.05</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.06</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LP<sub>O30</sub>→LP*<sub>Fe</sub></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.21</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.86</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.95</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.99</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.03</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.03</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >LP<sub>O31</sub>→LP*<sub>Fe</sub></td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.21</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.84</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.99</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12.99</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.01</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.02</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >13.08</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Quantum Chemistry Reactivity Indices</title><p>The HOMO-LUMO energy gap (E<sub>g</sub>) is an important factor for the evaluation of polarizability of a molecule [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref54">54</xref>] . The chemical stability assessment requires the knowledge of quantum chemistry reactivity indices such that a high HOMO- LUMO gap indicates a large chemical stability [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.74579-ref55">55</xref>] . According to the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory, reactivity indices can be defined on the basis of the energy gap between the HOMO and LUMO. Hard molecules have a large energy gap while soft molecules have a small one. Soft molecules are more polarizable than hard type due to their small energy of excitation.</p><p>Quantum reactivity indices such as the HOMO-LUMO gap (E<sub>g</sub>), chemical hardness (η) and electronic chemical potential (μ) are reported in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table6">Table 6</xref>. It is observed that E<sub>g</sub> in the gas phase is lower than other solvents which indicates that charge transfer is higher in solvents than in gas phase. The correlation between the chemical hardness and solvent dielectric constant is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>. It is observed that the chemical hardness in the gas phase is lower than in the solvents. This indicates that the stability of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> in the gas phase is lower than in solution.</p><fig id="fig7"  position="float"><label><xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref></label><caption><title> The correlation of electronic potential and solvent dielectric constant</title></caption><graphic mimetype="image"   position="float"  xlink:type="simple"  xlink:href="http://html.scirp.org/file/4-3700797x33.png"/></fig><table-wrap id="table6" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table6">Table 6</xref></label><caption><title> Energy gap and quantum reactivity indices of the catecholate and [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex in different solvent medi</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Media</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Catecholate</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >[Fe(Cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup></th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >E<sub>g</sub> (eV)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >E<sub>g</sub>(eV)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >η(eV)</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >−μ(eV)</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Gas</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.167</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.762</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.381</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.336</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Chloroform</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.370</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.816</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.408</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >0.589</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Acetone</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.669</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.832</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.416</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.113</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Ethanol</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.686</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.835</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.418</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.180</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Methanol</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.702</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.837</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.419</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.271</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Acetonitrile</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.710</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.843</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.422</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.293</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >DMSO</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.713</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.846</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.423</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.354</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Water</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.710</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.851</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.426</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.433</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec><sec id="s6"><title>6. Conclusions</title><p>The effect of oxidation states and spin states of iron for the binding in [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>n−</sup> complexes are studied theoretically using quantum chemical approach based on the B3LYP/6-311G (d,p) level of the theory. Our study shows that Fe<sup>3+</sup> in high spin state is the most preferable oxidation state to form the iron-catechol complex. The effects of various solvents with increasing dielectric constants on the structure, binding energy, FT-IR, preresonance Raman and UV-vis spectra of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex were investigated. The binding energies in polar solvents are lower than those in non-polar ones.</p><p>The simulated FT-IR showed that both the C-O and C-C vibrational modes have shifted to a lower frequency (red shift) when the solvent polarity increases. The preresonance Raman spectra of [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> clearly indicated that, in presence of solvents, the Raman peaks shifted (blue shifts). The simulated UV-vis spectra of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex were also consistent with the previous measurements and calculations. Furthermore, through the NBO analysis, the metal-ligand interactions were studied and verified that charge transfer occurs from the oxygen atoms of the ligand to the Fe (III). Also, based on this analysis it is concluded that the charge transfer in the gas phase is higher than in solution.</p><p>Finally, according to quantum chemical reactivity indices, the correlations between the electronic potential and binding energy of the [Fe(cat)<sub>3</sub>]<sup>3−</sup> complex as well as the solvent dielectric constant were obtained, respectively. The present metal−ligand binding energies, structures, and atomic charges of the metal-ca- techolate complexes will serve as a keystone for such modeling using molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>The Regional Scientific Computing Center for Lower Saxony (RRZN) of the University of Hannover is acknowledged for high performance computing facilities to perform this research activity.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Matin, M.A., Islam, M.M., Bredow, T. and Aziz, M.A. (2017) The Effects of Oxidation States, Spin States and Solvents on Molecular Structure, Stability and Spectroscopic Properties of Fe-Catechol Complexes: A Theoretical Stu- dy. 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