Dynamic-Structural-Distortion of Spheroidene Activates a Hidden 3Ag− State Mediating Carotenoid-to-Bacteriochlorophyll Energy Transfer in Light-harvesting 2

Chem. Sci., 2026, Accepted Manuscript DOI: 10.1039/D5SC08508J, Edge Article Bo Peng, Ming-Qing Chen, Tengfei Ma, Yi-Fan Huang, Peng Wang, Weimin Liu Carotenoids extend the absorption range of photosynthesis and transfer excitation energy to (Bacterio-)chlorophylls with remarkable efficiency, yet the microscopic mechanism of this process, especially the role of the SX intermediate...