title: Mechanism for photosynthetic O2 evolution.
abstract: We present a mechanism for photosynthetic O2 evolution based on a structural conversion of a Mn4O6 "adamantane"-like complex to a Mn4O4 "cubane"-like complex. EPR spectral data obtained from the S2 state of the O2-evolving complex are characteristic of a Mn4O4 cubane-like structure. Based on this structure for the manganese complex in the S2 state as well as a consideration of the other evidence available on the natural system and the coordination chemistry of manganese, structures are proposed for the five intermediate oxidation states of the manganese complex. A molecular mechanism for the formation of an O--O bond and the displacement of O2 from the S4 state is easily accommodated by the proposed model. The model is discussed in terms of recent EPR, x-ray, and UV spectral data obtained from the manganese site in the photosynthetic O2-evolving complex.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Brudvig
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Crabtree
mesh_terms: D008345:Manganese; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen; D010788:Photosynthesis
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese; D010100:Oxygen