Tracking picosecond molecular dynamics in solution using a suite of synchrotron-x-ray spectroscopic tools

Laser-pump, X-ray-probe techniques are powerful tools for exploring molecular structural changes that occur in complex environments such as solutions, during a photo-initiated reaction. We are developing such methods using hard x-rays from the Advanced Photon Source, combining x-ray emission spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy as probes of electronic and geometric structure and using high-power, MHz lasers as pumps. The high-duty-cycle pump-probe measurements efficiently utilize the synchrotron x-ray flux and enable high-fidelity measurements of the structures of transient intermediates. We present measurements on the model system [Fe(II)(CN)$_6$]$^{4-}$ (ferrocyanide) in an aqueous solution after excitation with 355 nm and 266 nm laser light. The system undergoes two wavelength dependent reactions: photooxidation and photoaquation. Iron K-edge absorption spectra were obtained along with iron emission spectra. Our data support the presence of a previously unobserved pentacoordinated intermediate species in the photoaquation reaction. Its lifetime has been measured to be 4.6 ns and details of its structure will be discussed.