Abstract
Resonance Raman spectra of mu-oxo-bis[iron(III) tetraphenylporphyrin] have been observed and compared to Raman spectra of the monomers iron(III) tetraphenylporphyrin chloride and bis(piperidine)iron(II) tetraphenylporphyrin. Selection rules for the Raman effect under conditions of resonance of the incident photons with electronic states are presented for the exact symmetry group (C2) and the pseudo-symmetry group (D4d): emphasis is placed on the physical processes involved in scattering via vibronic states of the dimer. These two models are experimentally distinguishable in the behavior of the depolarization ratios of the dimer vibrational doublets. Experimental data favor the assignment of D4d as the symmetry group relevant to a description of the various states of the dimer. The usefulness of resonance Raman spectra of the mu-oco-dimer of Fe(III) tetraphenylporphyrin has been discussed with respect to several biochemical systems where there is strong evidence of two or more closely interacting chromophores.