Controlled Incorporation of Nitrides into W‐Fe‐S Clusters

Incorporation of monatomic 2p ligands into the core of iron–sulfur clusters has been researched since the discovery of interstitial carbide in the FeMo cofactor of Mo‐dependent nitrogenase, but has proven to be a synthetic challenge. Herein, two distinct synthetic pathways are rationalized to install nitride ligands into targeted positions of W‐Fe‐S clusters, generating unprecedented nitride‐ligated iron–sulfur clusters, namely [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₆(μ₄‐N)₂S₆L₄]^2? (Tp*=tris(3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrazolyl)hydroborate(1?), L=Cl^? or Br^?). ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer study discloses metal oxidation states of W^IV₂Fe^II₄Fe^III₂ with localized electron distribution, which is analogous to the mid‐valent iron centres of FeMo cofactor at resting state. Good agreement of Mössbauer data with the empirical linear relationship for Fe–S clusters indicates similar ligand behaviour of nitride and sulfide in such clusters, providing useful reference for reduced nitrogen in a nitrogenase‐like environment.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of cyano- and amide-bridged FeIII-LnIII tetranuclear heterometallic clusters

Three Fe^III₂Ln^III₂ tetranuclear heterometallic clusters, [H₄LGd(H₂O)Tp*Fe(CN)₃]₂·8H₂O·2MeOH (1) and [H₄LLn(MeOH)Tp*Fe(CN)₃]₂·6MeOH·2MeCN (Ln?=?Tb and Dy for 2 and 3, respectively, H₆L = N,N′-(2,6-pyridine-dicarboxyl)-disalicylhydrazide, Tp* = hydridotris(3,5dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-borate), were synthesized by use of the [(Tp*)Fe(CN)₃]^? unit as a metalloligand toward LnCl₃ and H₆L species. Structural analyses reveal that Fe^III and Ln^III ions in all complexes are connected to each other by one cyanide to form a heterobinuclear unit of [Ln(H₄L)][(Tp*)Fe(CN)₃], which is dimerized through Ln–N–C?=?O–Ln interaction. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between cyano-bridged Fe^III and Gd^III ions and amide-bridged Gd^III ions are operative. Complex 1 displays the magnetocaloric effect with ?ΔS_m^max = 12.70 J·kg^?1·K^?1 at 4.0 K for ΔH?=?7 T. No single-molecule magnetic properties are observed for 2 or 3 down to 1.8 K.     

Comparison of Nitrogen Activation on Trinuclear Niobium and Tungsten Sulfide Clusters Nb3Sn and W3Sn (n=0–3): A DFT Study

The reaction of N₂ with trinuclear niobium and tungsten sulfide clusters Nb₃S_n and W₃S_n (n=0–3) was systematically studied by density functional theory calculations with TPSS functional and Def2-TZVP basis sets. Dissociations of N−N bonds on these clusters are all thermodynamically allowed but with different reactivity in kinetics. The reactivity of Nb₃S_n is generally higher than that of W₃S_n. In the favorite reaction pathways, the adsorbed N₂ changes the adsorption sites from one metal atom to the bridge site of two metal atoms, then on the hollow site of three metal atoms, and at that place, the N−N bond dissociates. As the number of ligand S atoms increases, the reactivity of Nb₃S_n decreases because of the hindering effect of S atoms, while W₃S and W₃S₂ have the highest reactivity among four W₃S_n clusters. The Mayer bond order, bond length, vibrational frequency, and electronic charges of the adsorbed N₂ are analyzed along the reaction pathways to show the activation process of the N−N bond in reactions. The charge transfer from the clusters to the N₂ antibonding orbitals plays an essential role in N−N bond activation, which is more significant in Nb₃S_n than in W₃S_n, leading to the higher reactivity of Nb₃S_n. The reaction mechanisms found in this work may provide important theoretical guidance for the further rational design of related catalytic systems for nitrogen reduction reactions (NRR).     

Bis(acetonitrile‐κN)bis[hydridotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN2)borato]di‐μ3‐sulfido‐tetra‐μ2‐sulfido‐di‐μ2‐thiocyanato‐κ2N:S;κ2S:N‐tetracopper(I)ditungsten(VI)

Reactions of (Et₄N)[Tp*WS₃] [Tp* is hydridotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate] with CuSCN in MeCN in the presence of melamine afforded the title neutral dimeric cluster [Cu₄W₂(C₁₅H₂₂BN₆)₂(NCS)₂S₆(C₂H₃N)₂] or [Tp*W(μ₂‐S)₂(μ₃‐S)Cu(μ₂‐SCN)(CuMeCN)]₂, which has two butterfly‐shaped [Tp*WS₃Cu₂] cores bridged across a centre of inversion by two (CuSCN)⁻ anions. The S atoms of the bridging thiocyanate ligands interact with the H atoms of the methyl groups of the Tp* units of a neighbouring dimer to form a C—H...S hydrogen‐bonded chain. The N atoms of the thiocyanate anions interact with the H atoms of the methyl groups of the Tp* units of neighbouring chains, affording a two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network.     

Synthesis and characterization of new heterometallic iron sulfur nitrosyl clusters

The reactivity of the (PPN)₂[Fe₈S₆(NO)₈] and (PPN)₂[Fe₆S₆(NO)₆] clusters is explored and new derivative clusters have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The unique (PPN)₂Fe₄S₄(NO)₆ “open-cubane” cluster with a chair like Fe₄S₄ core is obtained along with the mixed metal pentandite-like clusters (PPN)₂[Mo₂Fe₆S₆(NO)₆(CO)₆], (PPr₃)₂Cu₂Fe₆S₆(NO)₆, (PPr₃)₄Cu₄Fe₄S₆(NO)₄, (PPr₃)₂Ni₂Fe₆S₆(NO)₆, (PPr₃)₃Ni₃Fe₄S₆(NO)₄. The rich electrochemistry of the mixed metal clusters is presented as well.     

In Search of Fulminate Analogues: LnM≡CP=NR

The “CPNR” ligand may be viewed as being isolobal with fulminate, CNO; however, attempts to prepare a complex of such a ligand resulted instead in a range of novel imino and aminophosphinocarbyne complexes. Sequential treatment of [Mo(≡CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] (Tp*=hydrotris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with nBuLi and ClP=NMes* (Mes*=C₆H₂tBu₃-2,4,6) afforded mixtures of the complexes [Mo(≡CPnBuNHMes*)(CO)₂(Tp*)] and traces of the bimetallic products [Mo₂{μ₂-C₂P₂O(NHMes)₂}(CO)₄(Tp*)₂] and [Mo₂(μ₂-C₂PNHMes)(CO)₄(Tp*)₂]. The reaction of [W(≡CBr)(CO)₂(Tp*)] with nBuLi and ClP=NMes* afforded predominantly the mononuclear carbyne [W{≡CP(=NMes*)nBu₂})(CO)₂(Tp*)] and traces of the binuclear complex [W₂(μ-C₂PNHMes)(CO)₄(Tp*)₂] which is also obtained when tBuLi is used. Although not isolable, the intended complexes [M(≡CPNMes*)(CO)₂(Tp*)] could be generated in situ and spectroscopically characterized via the reactions of the stannyl carbynes [M(≡CSnnBu₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)] and ClP=NMes*. The preceding observations are mechanistically interpreted with reference to a computational interrogation of the model complex [Mo(≡CP=NCH₃)(CO)₂(Tp*)], the LUMO of which has considerable phosphorus character.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of molybdenum and tungsten chalcogenide cubane complexes (NH4)6[M4Q4(CN)12]·6H2O (M=Mo or W; Q=S or Se)

Four new chalcogenide molybdenum and tungsten cubane clusters (NH₄)₆[M₄Q₄(CN)₁₂]·6H₂O (M=Mo or W; Q=S or Se) were prepared by high-temperature reactions of the triangular M₃O₇Br₄ complexes with KCN at 430 °C followed by crystallization from aqueous solutions of ammonium acetate. The molecular and crystal structures of (NH₄)₆[Mo₄S₄(CN)₁₂]·6H₂O, (NH₄)₆[W₄S₄(CN)₁₂]·6H₂O, and (NH₄)₆[W₄Se₄(CN)₁₂]·6H₂O were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The mixed-valence cubane clusters are diamagnetic and isostructural and have the symmetryT _d . The clusters were characterized by IR and electronic spectroscopy. The data of cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that the [M₄Q₄(CN)₁₂] ⁿ⁻ clusters exist in three oxidation states from the most oxidized (n=6; 10 cluster electrons) to the most reduced electron-precise 12-electron species (n=8). Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 18–24, January, 2000.     

Salts of Anionic Metal Carbonyl Clusters with Cryptand[2.2.2](Na+), DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na+), and Paramagnetic Cp*2Cr+ Cations Obtained by Reduction

Reduction of neutral metal clusters (Co₄(CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Fe₃(CO)₁₂, Ir₄(CO)₁₂, Rh₆(CO)₁₆, {CpMo(CO)₃}₂, {Mn(CO)₅}₂) by decamethylchromocene (Cp*₂Cr) or sodium fluorenone ketyl in the presence of cryptand[2.2.2] and DB‐18‐crown‐6 was studied. Nine new salts with paramagnetic Cp*₂Cr⁺, cryptand[2.2.2](Na⁺), and DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na⁺) cations and [Co₆(CO)₁₅]^2– ( 1 , 2 ), [Ru₆(CO)₁₈]^2– ( 3 – 4 ) dianions, [Rh₁₁(CO)₂₃]^3– ( 6 ) trianions, and new [Ir₈(CO)₁₈]^2– ( 5 ) dianions were obtained and structurally characterized. The increase of nuclearity of clusters under reduction was shown. Fe₃(CO)₁₂ preserves the Fe₃ core under reduction forming the [Fe₃(CO)₁₁]^2– dianions in 7 . The [CpMo(CO)₃]₂ and [Mn(CO)₅]₂ dimers dissociate under reduction forming mononuclear [CpMo(CO)₃]^– ( 8 ) and [Mn(CO)₅]^– ( 9 ) anions. In all anions the increase of negative charge on metal atoms shifts the bands attributed to carbonyl C–O stretching vibrations to smaller wavenumbers in agreement with the elongation of the C–O bonds in 1 – 9 . In contrast, the M–C(CO) bonds are noticeably shortened at the reduction. Magnetic susceptibility of the salts with Cp*₂Cr⁺ is defined by high spin Cp*₂Cr⁺ (S = 3/2) species, whereas all obtained anionic metal clusters and mononuclear anions are diamagnetic. Rather weak magnetic coupling between S = 3/2 spins is observed with Weiss temperature from –1 to –11 K. That is explained by rather long distances between Cp*₂Cr⁺ and the absence of effective π–π interaction between them except compound 7 showing the largest Weiss temperature of –11 K. The {DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na⁺)}₂[Co₆(CO)₁₅]^2– units in 2 are organized in infinite 1D chains through the coordination of carbonyl groups of the Co₆ clusters to the Na⁺ ions and π–π stacking between benzo groups of the DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na⁺) cations.     

Alkoxide Clusters of Molybdenum and Tungsten as Templates for Organometallic Chemistry: Comparison with Carbonyl Clusters of the Later Transition Elements

Alkoxide and carbonyl ligands complement each other because they both behave as “π buffers” to transition metals. Alkoxides, which are π donors, stabilize early transition metals in high oxidation states by donating electrons into vacant d_π orbitals, whereas carbonyls, which are π acceptors, stabilize later transition elements in their lower oxidation states by accepting electrons from filled d_π orbitals. Both ligands readily form bridges that span M? M bonds. In solution fluxional processes that involve bridge–terminal ligand exchange are common to both alkoxide and carbonyl ligands. The fragments [W(OR)₃], [CpW(CO)₂], [Co(CO)₃], and CH are related by the isolobal analogy. Thus the compounds [(RO)₃W ? W(OR)₃], [Cp(CO)₂W?W(CO)₂Cp], hypothetical [(CO)₃Co?Co(CO)₃], and HC?CH are isolobal. Alkoxide and carbonyl cluster compounds often exhibit striking similarities with respect to substrate binding—e.g., [W₃(μ₃-CR)(OR′)₉] versus [Co₃(μ₃-CR)(CO)₉] and [W₄(C)(NMe)(OiPr)₁₂] versus [Fe₄(C)(CO)₁₃]—but differ with respect to M? M bonding. The carbonyl clusters use e_g-type orbitals for M? M bonding whereas the alkoxide clusters employ t_2g-type orbitals. Another point of difference involves electronic saturation. In general, each metal atom in a metal carbonyl cluster has an 18-electron count; thus, activation of the cluster often requires thermal or photochemical CO expulsion or M? M bond homolysis. Alkoxide clusters, on the other hand, behave as electronically unsaturated species because the π electrons are ligand-centered and the LUMO metal-centered. Also, access to the metal centers may be sterically controlled in metal alkoxide clusters by choice of alkoxide groups whereas ancillary ligands such as tertiary phosphanes or cyclopentadienes must be introduced if steric factors are to be modified in carbonyl clusters. A comparison of the reactivity of alkynes and ethylene with dinuclear alkoxide and carbonyl compounds is presented. For the carbonyl compounds CO ligand loss is a prerequisite for substrate uptake and subsequent activation. For [M₂(OR)₆] compounds (M = Mo and W) the nature of substrate uptake and activation is dependent upon the choice of M and R, leading to a more diverse chemistry.     

Spectroscopic Characterization of an Eight‐Iron Nitrogenase Cofactor Precursor that Lacks the “9th Sulfur”

Nitrogenases catalyze the reduction of N₂ to NH₄⁺ at its cofactor site. Designated the M‐cluster, this [MoFe₇S₉C(R‐homocitrate)] cofactor is synthesized via the transformation of a [Fe₄S₄] cluster pair into an [Fe₈S₉C] precursor (designated the L‐cluster) prior to insertion of Mo and homocitrate. We report the characterization of an eight‐iron cofactor precursor (designated the L*‐cluster), which is proposed to have the composition [Fe₈S₈C] and lack the “9^th sulfur” in the belt region of the L‐cluster. Our X‐ray absorption and electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) analyses strongly suggest that the L*‐cluster represents a structural homologue to the l ‐cluster except for the missing belt sulfur. The absence of a belt sulfur from the L*‐cluster may prove beneficial for labeling the catalytically important belt region, which could in turn facilitate investigations into the reaction mechanism of nitrogenases.     

Electronic Structure of Thiolate‐bridged Diiron Complexes and a Single‐electron Oxidation Reaction: A Combination of Experimental and Computational Studies

Single‐electron oxidation of a diiron‐sulfur complex [Cp*Fe(μ‐bdt)FeCp*] ( 1 , Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅; bdt=benzene‐1,2‐dithiolate) to [Cp*Fe(μ‐bdt)FeCp*]⁺ ( 2 ) has been experimentally conducted. The bdt ligand with redox‐active character has been computationally proposed to be a dianion (bdt^2?) rather than previously proposed monoanion (bdt^·?) radical in 1 though it has un‐equidistant aromatic C? C bond lengths. The ground state of 1 is predicted to be two low‐spin ferrous ions (S_Fe=0) and 2 has a medium‐spin ferric ion (S_Fe=1/2) and a low‐spin ferrous center (S_Fe=0), and the oxidation of 1 to 2 is calculated to be a single‐metal‐based process. Both complexes have no significant antiferromagnetic coupling character.     

Atomically Precise Lanthanide-Iron-Oxo Clusters Featuring the ϵ-Keggin Ion

Atomically precise molecular metal-oxo clusters provide ideal models to understand metal oxide surfaces, self-assembly, and form-function relationships. Devising strategies for synthesis and isolation of these molecular forms remains a challenge. Here, the synthesis of four Ln-Fe oxo clusters that feature the ϵ-{Fe₁₃} Keggin cluster in their core is reported. The {Fe₁₃} metal-oxo cluster motif is the building block of two important iron oxyhydroxyide phases in nature and technology, ferrihydrite (as the δ-isomer) and magnetite (the ϵ-isomer). The reported ϵ-{Fe₁₃} Keggin isomer as an isolated molecule provides the opportunity to study the formation of ferrihydrite and magnetite from this building unit. The four currently reported isostructural lanthanide-iron-oxo clusters are fully formulated [Y₁₂Fe₃₃(TEOA)₁₂(Hyp)₆(μ₃-OH)₂₀(μ₄-O)₂₈(H₂O)₁₂](ClO₄)₂₃ ⋅ 50 H₂O ( 1 , Y₁₂Fe₃₃ ), [Gd₁₂Fe₃₃(TEOA)₁₂(Hyp)₆(μ₃-OH)₂₀(μ₄-O)₃₂(H₂O)₁₂](ClO₄)₁₅ ⋅ 50 H₂O ( 2 , Gd₁₂Fe₃₃ ) and [Ln₁₆Fe₂₉(TEOA)₁₂(Hyp)₆(μ₃-OH)₂₄(μ₄-O)₂₈(H₂O)₁₆](ClO₄)₁₆(NO₃)₃ ⋅ n H₂O (Ln=Y for 3 , Y₁₆Fe₂₉ , n=37 and Ln=Gd for 4 , Gd₁₆Fe₂₉ n=25; Hyp=trans-4-Hydroxyl-l -proline and TEOA=triethanolamine). The next metal layer surrounding the ϵ-{Fe₁₃} core within these clusters exhibits a similar arrangement as the magnetite lattice, and Fe and Ln can occupy the same positions. This provides the opportunity to construct a family of compounds and optimize magnetic exchange in these molecules through composition tuning. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS) show that these clusters are stable upon dissolution in both water and organic solvents, as a first step to performing further chemistry towards building magnetic arrays or investigating ferrihydrite and magnetite assembly from pre-nucleation clusters.     

Facile synthesis of inorganic–organic Fe2W18Fe4@NiO@CTS hybrid nanocatalyst induced efficient performance in oxidative desulfurization of real fuel

In this work, a new nanocatalyst, Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS, was synthesized by the reaction of sandwich‐type polyoxometalate (Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄), nickel oxide (NiO), and chitosan (CTS) via sol–gel method. The assembled nanocatalyst was systematically characterized by FT‐IR, UV–vis, XRD, SEM, and EDX analysis. The catalytic activity of Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS was tested on oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of real gasoline and model fuels. The experimental results revealed that the levels of sulfur content and mercaptan compounds of gasoline were lowered with 97% efficiency. Also, the Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS nanocatalyst demonstrated an outstanding catalytic performance for the oxidation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the model fuel. The major factors that influence the desulfurization efficiency and the kinetic study of the ODS reactions were fully detailed and discussed. The probable ODS pathway was proposed via the electrophilic mechanism on the basis of the electrophilic characteristic of the metal‐oxo‐peroxo intermediates. The prepared nanocatalyst could be reused for 5 successive runs without any appreciable loss in its catalytic activity. As a result, the current study suggested the potential application of the Fe₂W₁₈Fe₄@NiO@CTS hybrid nanocatalyst as an ideal candidate for removal of sulfur compounds from fuel.     

Energies and Spin States of FeS0/−, FeS20/−, Fe2S20/−, Fe3S40/−, and Fe4S40/− Clusters

The structures and energies of the electronic ground states of the FeS^0/?, FeS₂^0/?, Fe₂S₂^0/?, Fe₃S₄^0/?, and Fe₄S₄^0/? neutral and anionic clusters have been computed systematically with nine computational methods in combination with seven basis sets. The computed adiabatic electronic affinities (AEA) have been compared with available experimental data. Most reasonable agreements between theory and experiment have been found for both hybrid B3LYP and B3PW91 functionals in conjugation with 6‐311+G* and QZVP basis sets. Detailed comparisons between the available experimental and computed AEA data at the B3LYP/6‐311+G* level identified the electronic ground state of ⁵Δ for FeS, ⁴Δ for FeS^?, ⁵B₂ for FeS₂, ⁶A₁ for FeS₂^?, ¹A₁ for Fe₂S₂, ⁸A′ for Fe₂S₂^?, ⁵A′′ for Fe₃S₄, ⁶A′′ for Fe₃S₄^?, ¹A₁ for Fe₄S₄, and ¹A₂ for Fe₄S₄^?. In addition, Fe₂S₂, Fe₃S₄, Fe₃S₄^?, Fe₄S₄, and Fe₄S₄^? are antiferromagnetic at the B3LYP/6‐311+G* level. The magnetic properties are discussed on the basis of natural bond orbital analysis.     

Synthesis of Two‐Electron Bimetallic Cu–Ag and Cu–Au Clusters by using [Cu13(S2CNnBu2)6(C≡CPh)4]+ as a Template

Atomically precise Cu‐rich bimetallic superatom clusters have been synthesized by adopting a galvanic exchange strategy. [Cu@Cu₁₂(S₂CNⁿBu₂)₆(C≡CPh)₄][CuCl₂] ( 1 ) was used as a template to generate compositionally uniform clusters [M@Cu₁₂(S₂CNⁿBu₂)₆ (C≡CPh)₄][CuCl₂], where M=Ag ( 2 ), Au ( 3 ). Structures of 1 , 2 and 3 were determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and the results were supported by ESI‐MS. The anatomies of clusters 1 – 3 are very similar, with a centred cuboctahedral cationic core that is surrounded by six di‐butyldithiocarbamate (dtc) and four phenylacetylide ligands. The doped Ag and Au atoms were found to preferentially occupy the centre of the 13‐atom cuboctahedral core. Experimental and theoretical analyses of the synthesized clusters revealed that both Ag and Au doping result in significant changes in cluster stability, optical characteristics and enhancement in luminescence properties.     

Rational synthesis, structural characterization and the third-order nonlinear optical properties of two new M-Cu-S (M = Mo or W) clusters

By the additional reaction of binuclear compounds (Me4N)2M2S4 (TDT)2 (M = Mo, W; H2TDT= H2CH3C6H3S2) with mononuclear cuprous complex, two new M-Cu-S clusters Mo2Cu2S4(TDT)2-(PPh3 )2·CH3CH2OH (1) and W2Cu2S4(TDT)2(PPh3)2·0.5CH3CH2OH-0.5H2O (2) have been prepared and characterized by IR, UV-Vis, 31P NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and single crystal X-ray structure analysis . Both compounds crystallize in space group P 21 / n with lattice parameters a = 1.0956(3), b = 2.2072(3), c = 2.4340(3) nm, β= 100.36(2)°, V= 5.790(3) nm3 and Z = 4 for 1 and a = 1.0965(9),b= 2.2135(3), c = 2.4317(4) nm, β = 99.63(8)°, V= 5.819(8) nm3 and Z = 4 for 2. Both molecular structures contain a cubane-like cluster core [M2Cu2S4] (M = Mo, W) and their skeletons are almost the same except for M atoms. The syntheses, structures and spectrum characterizations of these two clusters are discussed. The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) property of the two clusters was studied by the technique of forward degenerate four     

New twisted-saddle dodecanuclear iron(III) clusters with adamantane-like [Fe4O6] core

Reactions of a hexadentate ligand N,N,N’,N’-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine (H₄edte) with different iron(III) salts in different solvents yielded three new twisted-saddle Fe12 clusters with adamantane-like [Fe₄O₆] inner core. Preliminary magnetic studies show that strong intracluster anti-ferromagnetic interaction exists in both 1 and 3, generating the S _T = 0 spin ground state.     

Controlled Expansion of a Strong‐Field Iron Nitride Cluster: Multi‐Site Ligand Substitution as a Strategy for Activating Interstitial Nitride Nucleophilicity

Multimetallic clusters have long been investigated as molecular surrogates for reactive sites on metal surfaces. In the case of the μ₄‐nitrido cluster [Fe₄(μ₄‐N)(CO)₁₂]^?, this analogy is limited owing to the electron‐withdrawing effect of carbonyl ligands on the iron nitride core. Described here is the synthesis and reactivity of [Fe₄(μ₄‐N)(CO)₈(CNAr^Mes2)₄]^?, an electron‐rich analogue of [Fe₄(μ₄‐N)(CO)₁₂]^?, where the interstitial nitride displays significant nucleophilicity. This characteristic enables rational expansion with main‐group and transition‐metal centers to yield unsaturated sites. The resulting clusters display surface‐like reactivity through coordination‐sphere‐dependent atom rearrangement and metal–metal cooperativity.     

Tridentate Thiolate Ligands: Application to the Synthesis of the Site-Differentiated [4Fe-4S] Cluster having a Hydrosulfide Ligand at the Unique Iron Center

We have designed new trithiols Temp(SH)₃ and Tefp(SH)₃ that can be synthesized conveniently in short steps and are useful for preparation of crystalline [3:1] site-differentiated [4Fe-4S] clusters suitable for X-ray structural analysis. The ethanethiolate clusters (PPh₄)₂[Fe₄S₄(SEt)(TempS₃)] ( 4a ) and (PPh₄)₂[Fe₄S₄(SEt)(TefpS₃)] ( 4b ) were prepared as precursors, and the unique iron sites were then selectively substituted. Upon reaction with H₂S, (PPh₄)₂[Fe₄S₄(SH)(TempS₃)] ( 6a ) and (PPh₄)₂[Fe₄S₄(SH)(TefpS₃)] ( 6b ), which model the [4Fe-4S] cluster in the β subunit of (R)-2-hydroxyisocaproyl-CoA dehydratase, were synthesized. Clusters 6a and 6b were further converted to the sulfido-bridged double cubanes (PPh₄)₄[{Fe₄S₄(TempS₃)}₂(μ²-S)] ( 6b ) and (PPh₄)₄[{Fe₄S₄(TefpS₃)}₂(μ²-S)] ( 7b ), respectively, via intermolecular condensation with the release of H₂S. Conversely, addition of H₂S to 7a , 7b afforded the hydrosulfide clusters 6a , 6b . The molecular structures of the clusters reported herein were elucidated by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Their redox properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.