Use of 1,10-phenanthroline in diiron dithiolate derivatives related to the [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase active site

Treatment of [Fe(2)(micro-pdt)(CO)(6)] (pdt = S(CH(2))(3)S) with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in refluxing toluene affords the asymmetric complex [Fe(2)(micro-pdt)(CO)(4)(phen)] (1); the protonation of with HBF(4).OEt(2) in CD(2)Cl(2) at 203 K has been monitored by (1)H NMR.     

A carbonyl-rich bridging hydride complex relevant to the Fe-Fe hydrogenase active site

Protonation of Fe(2)(μ-S(2)C(3)H(6))(CO)(6) with an acid derived from [SiEt(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] and HCl affords a hydride-bridged dimer.     

Pendant bases as proton transfer relays in diiron dithiolate complexes inspired by [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase active site

Three dinuclear iron complexes containing pendant nitrogen bases in phosphine ligands with general formular (μ-pdt) [Fe₂(CO)₅L] (where pdt is SCH₂CH₂CH₂S, L = PPh₂NH(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂ (5), PPh₂NH(2-NH₂C₆H₄) (6), PPh₂[2-N(CH₃)₂CH₂C₆H₄] (7)), were prepared as the models of the [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase active site. The molecular structures of 5-7 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The secondary amine in 6 has weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding with both the terminal nitrogen and sulfur atom, which may suggest a proton transfer pathway from amine in phosphine ligand to the sulfur atom of active site. Protonation of complexes 5 and 6 only occurred at the terminal nitrogen atom. Electrochemical properties of the complexes were studied in the presence of triflic acid by cyclic voltammetry.     

Nitrosyl derivatives of diiron(I) dithiolates mimic the structure and Lewis acidity of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site

This study probes the impact of electronic asymmetry of diiron(I) dithiolato carbonyls. Treatment of Fe2(S2C(n)H(2n))(CO)(6-x)(PMe3)x compounds (n = 2, 3; x = 1, 2, 3) with NOBF4 gave the derivatives [Fe2(S2C(n)H(2n))(CO)(5-x)(PMe3)x(NO)]BF4, which are electronically unsymmetrical because of the presence of a single NO(+) ligand. Whereas the monophosphine derivative is largely undistorted, the bis(PMe3) derivatives are distorted such that the CO ligand on the Fe(CO)(PMe3)(NO)(+) subunit is semibridging. Two isomers of [Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)3(PMe3)2(NO)]BF4 were characterized spectroscopically and crystallographically. Each isomer features electron-rich Fe(CO)2PMe3 and electrophilic Fe(CO)(PMe3)(NO)(+) subunits. These species are in equilibrium with an unobserved isomer that reversibly binds CO (DeltaH = -35 kJ/mol, DeltaS = -139 J mol(-1) K(-1)) to give the symmetrical adduct [Fe2(S2C3H6)(mu-NO)(CO)4(PMe3)2]BF4. In contrast to Fe2(S2C3H6)(CO)4(PMe3)2, the bis(PMe3) nitrosyl complexes readily undergo CO substitution to give the (PMe3)3 derivatives. The nitrosyl complexes reduce at potentials that are approximately 1 V milder than their carbonyl counterparts. Results of density functional theory calculations, specifically natural bond orbital analysis, reinforce the electronic resemblance of the nitrosyl complexes to the corresponding mixed-valence diiron complexes. Unlike other diiron dithiolato carbonyls, these species undergo reversible reductions at mild potentials. The results show that the novel structural and chemical features associated with mixed-valence diiron dithiolates (the so-called H(ox) models) can be replicated in the absence of mixed-valency by the introduction of electronic asymmetry.     

Sulfonated diiron complexes as water-soluble models of the [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase enzyme active site

A series of diiron complexes developed as fundamental models of the two-iron subsite in the [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzyme active site show water-solubility by virtue of a sulfonate group incorporated into the -SCH(2)NRCH(2)S- dithiolate unit that bridges two Fe(I)(CO)(2)L moieties. The sulfanilic acid group imparts even greater water solubility in the presence of β-cyclodextrin, β-CyD, for which NMR studies suggest aryl-sulfonate inclusion into the cyclodextrin cavity as earlier demonstrated in the X-ray crystal structure of 1Na·2 β-CyD clathrate, where 1Na = Na(+)(μ-SCH(2)N(C(6)H(4)SO(3)(-))CH(2)S-)[Fe(CO)(3)](2), (Singleton et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc.2010, 132, 8870). Electrochemical analysis of the complexes for potential as electrocatalysts for proton reduction to H(2) finds the presence of β-CyD to diminish response, possibly reflecting inhibition of structural rearrangements required of the diiron unit for a facile catalytic cycle. Advantages of the aryl sulfonate approach include entry into a variety of water-soluble derivatives from the well-known (μ-SRS)[Fe(CO)(3)](2) parent biomimetic, that are stable in O(2)-free aqueous solutions.     

New class of diiron dithiolates related to the Fe-only hydrogenase active site: synthesis and characterization of [Fe2(SR)(2)(CNMe)7]2+

Electron-rich polyisocyano derivatives Fe(2)(S(2)C(n)H(2n)(CO)(6-x)(CNMe)(x) (x approximately 4) undergo oxidatively induced (FeCp(2)(+)) reaction with additional CNMe to give [Fe(2)(SR)(2)(CNMe)(7)](PF(6))(2), a new class of iron thiolates. Crystallographic characterization established that the 34 e(-) dinuclear core resembles the oxidized (H(2)-binding) form of the active sites of the Fe-only hydrogenases, key features being the face-sharing bioctahedral geometry, the mu-CX ligand, and an Fe-Fe separation of 2.61 A. Oxidation of the phenylthiolate Fe(2)(SPh)(2)(CO)(2)(CNMe)(4) led to mononuclear [Fe(SPh)(CNMe)(5)](PF(6)), which is analogous to [Fe(2)(SR)(2)(CNMe)(10)](PF(6))(2) formed upon treatment of [Fe(2)(S(2)C(3)H(6))(CNMe)(7)](PF(6))(2) with excess CNMe.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of diiron azadithiolate complexes relevant to the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenases

Two N-functionally substituted diiron azadithiolate complexes, [(µ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂OC(O)C₆H₄I-p]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) and {[(µ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂OC(O)C₆H₄I-p]Fe₂(CO)₅Ph₂PCH}₂ (2) as models for the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenases, have been prepared and fully characterized. Complex 1 was prepared by the reaction of [(µ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂OH]Fe₂(CO)₆ with p-iodobenzoic acid in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in 78% yield. Further treatment of 1 with 1 equiv. of Me₃NO?·?2H₂O followed by 0.5 equiv. of trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (dppe) affords 2 in 60% yield. The new complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by IR and ¹H (¹³C, ³¹P) NMR spectroscopic techniques and their molecular structures were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structure of 1 has two conformational isomers, in one isomer its N-functional substituent is axial to its bridged nitrogen and in the other isomer its N-functional substituent is equatorial. The crystal structure of 2 revealed that its N-functional substituents are equatorial to its nitrogens and dppe occupies the two apical positions of the square-pyramidal irons.     

Selenium-bridged diiron hexacarbonyl complexes as biomimetic models for the active site of Fe-Fe hydrogenases

Three N-substituted selenium-bridged diiron complexes [{(mu-SeCH2)2NC6H4R}Fe2(CO)6] (R = 4-NO2, 7; R = H, 8; R = 4-CH3, 9) were firstly prepared as biomimetic models for the Fe-Fe hydrogenases active site. Models could be generated by the convergent reaction of [(mu-HSe)2Fe2(CO)6] (6) with N,N-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-nitroaniline (1), N,N-bis(hydroxymethyl)aniline (2), and N,N-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylaniline (3) in 46-52% yields. All the new complexes were characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR and HRMS spectra and their molecular structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The redox properties of and their dithiolate analogues [{(mu-SCH2)2NC6H4R}Fe2(CO)6] (R = 4-NO2, 7s; R = H, 8s; R = 4-CH3, 9s ) were evaluated by cyclic voltammograms. The electrochemical proton reduction by and were investigated in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid (HOTs) to evaluate the influence of changing the coordinating S atoms of the bridging ligands to Se atoms on the electrocatalytic activity for proton reduction.     

Diiron chelate complexes relevant to the active site of the iron-only hydrogenase

A novel unsymmetrically disubstituted propanedithiolate compound [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dmpe)(μ-pdt)] (1) (pdt = SCH₂CH₂CH₂S, dmpe = Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂) was synthesized by treatment of [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-pdt)] with dmpe in refluxing THF. Compound 1 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Protonation of 1 with HBF₄·Et₂O in CH₂Cl₂ gave at room temperature the μ-hydrido derivative [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-dmpe)(μ-pdt)(μ-H)](BF₄)] (2). At low temperature, ¹H and ³¹P–{¹H} NMR monitoring revealed the formation of a terminal hydride intermediate 3. Comparison of these results with those of a VT NMR study of the protonation of symmetrical compounds [Fe₂(CO)₄L₂(μ-pdt)] [L = PMe₃, P(OMe)₃] suggests that in disubstituted bimetallic complexes [Fe₂(CO)₄L₂(μ-pdt)], dissymmetry of the complex is required to observe terminal hydride species. Attempts to extend the series of chelate compounds [Fe₂(CO)₄(κ²-L₂)(μ-pdt)] by using arphos (arphos = Ph₂AsCH₂CH₂PPh₂) were unsuccessful. Only mono- and disubstituted derivatives [Fe₂(CO)_6−n(Ph₂AsCH₂CH₂PPh₂)_n(μ-pdt)] (n = 1, 4a; n = 2, 4b), featuring dangling arphos, were isolated under the same reaction conditions of formation of 1. Compound 4b was structurally characterized.     

Assignment of molecular structures to the electrochemical reduction products of diiron compounds related to [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase: a combined experimental and density functional theory study

The reduction chemistry of (mu-bridge)[Fe(CO)3]2 [bridge = propane-1,3-dithiolate (1) and ethane-1,2-dithiolate (2)] is punctuated by the formation of distinct products, resulting in a marked difference in CO inhibition of electrocatalytic proton reduction. The products formed following reduction of 2 have been examined by a range of electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, and spectroscopic approaches. Density functional theory has allowed assessment of the relative energies of the structures proposed for the reduction products and agreement between the calculated spectra (IR and NMR) and bond distances with the experimental spectra and EXAFS-derived structural parameters. For 1 and 2, one-electron reduction is accompanied by dimerization, but the structure, stability, and reaction with CO of the dimer is different in the two cases, and this is responsible for the different CO inhibition response for electrocatalytic proton reduction. Calculations of the alternate structures of the two-electron, one-proton reduced forms of 2 show that the isomers with terminally bound hydrides are unlikely to play a significant role in the chemistry of these species. The hydride-transfer chemistry of the 1B species is more reasonably attributed to a hydride-bridged form. The combination of experimental and computational results provides a solid foundation for the interpretation of the reduction chemistry of dithiolate-bridged diiron compounds, and this will underpin translation of the diiron subsite of the [FeFe] hydrogenase H cluster into an abiological context.     

Biomimetic models for the active site of [Fe]hydrogenase featuring an acylmethyl(hydroxymethyl)pyridine ligand

The first acylmethyl(hydroxymethyl)pyridine ligand-containing [Fe]hydrogenase model complexes 2-4 have been synthesized starting from the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-(4-MeC(6)H(4)SO(3)CH(2))-6-HOCH(2)C(5)H(3)N with Na(2)Fe(CO)(4). While the reaction course for producing complex 3 via the highly unstable intermediate complex 1 is monitored by in situ IR spectroscopy, the isolated model complexes 2-4 are fully characterized.     

An approach to water-soluble hydrogenase active site models: Synthesis and electrochemistry of diiron dithiolate complexes with 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ligand(s)

In order to improve the hydro- and protophilicity of the active site models of the Fe-only hydrogenases, three diiron dithiolate complexes with DAPTA ligand(s) (DAPTA = 3,7-diacetyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane), (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)₃][Fe(CO)₂(DAPTA)] (1, pdt = 1,3-propanedithiolato), (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)₂(DAPTA)]₂ (2) and (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)₂(PTA)][Fe(CO)₂(DAPTA)] (3), were prepared and spectroscopically characterized. The water solubility of DAPTA-coordinate complexes 1-3 is better than that of the PTA-coordinate analogues. With complexes 1-3 as electrocatalysts, the overvoltage is reduced by 460-770 mV for proton reduction from acetic acid at low concentration in CH₃CN. Significant decrease, up to 420 mV, in reduction potential for the Fe(I)Fe(I) to Fe(I)Fe(0) process and the curve-crossing phenomenon are observed in cyclic voltammograms of 2 and 3 in CH₃CN/H₂O mixtures. The introduction of the DAPTA ligand to the diiron dithiolate model complexes indeed makes the water solubility of 2 and 3 sufficient for electrochemical studies in pure water, which show that the proton reduction from acetic acid in pure water is electrochemically catalyzed by 2 and 3 at ca. −1.3 V vs. NHE.     

Electron-transfer-catalyzed rearrangement of unsymmetrically substituted diiron dithiolate complexes related to the active site of the [FeFe]-hydrogenases

Novel asymmetrically substituted azadithiolate compounds [Fe2(CO)4(kappa2-dppe){micro-SCH2N(R)CH2S}] (R=iPr, 1a; CH2CH2OCH3, 1b; CH2C6H5, 1c) have been synthesized by treatment of [Fe2(CO)6(micro-adt)] [adt=SCH2N(R)CH2S, with R=iPr, CH2CH2OCH3, CH2C6H5] with dppe (dppe=Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) in refluxing toluene in the presence of Me3NO. 1a-c have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The electrochemical investigation of 1a-c and of [Fe2(CO)4(kappa2-dppe)(micro-pdt)] (1d) [pdt=S(CH2)3S] in MeCN- and THF-[NBu4][PF6] has demonstrated that the electrochemical reduction of 1a-d gives rise to an Electron-transfer-catalyzed (ETC) isomerization to the symmetrical isomers 2a-d where the dppe ligand bridges the iron centers. Compounds 2a-d were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography for 2a.     

Synthesis, structure, and electrocatalysis of diiron C-functionalized propanedithiolate (PDT) complexes related to the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenases

New C-functionalized propanedithiolate-type model complexes (1-8) have been synthesized by functional transformation reactions of the known complex [(mu-SCH2)2CH(OH)]Fe2(CO)6 (A). Treatment of A with the acylating agents PhC(O)Cl, 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid chloride, 2-furancarbonyl chloride, and 2-thiophenecarbonyl chloride in the presence of Et3N affords the expected C-functionalized complexes [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CPh]Fe2(CO)6 (1), [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CC5H4N-4]Fe2(CO)6 (2), [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CC4H3O-2]Fe2(CO)6 (3), and [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CC4H3S-2]Fe2(CO)6 (4). However, when A is treated with the phosphatizing agents Ph2PCl, PCl3 and PBr3, both C- and Fe-functionalized complexes [(mu-SCH2) 2CHOPPh2-eta1]Fe2(CO)5 (5), [(mu-SCH2) 2CHOPCl2-eta1]Fe2(CO)5 (6), and [(mu-SCH2) 2CHOPBr2-eta1]Fe2(CO)5 (7) are unexpectedly obtained via intramolecular CO substitution by P atoms of the initially formed phosphite complexes. The simplest C-functionalized model complex [(mu-SCH2) 2CO]Fe2(CO)6 (8) can be produced by oxidation of A with Dess-Martin reagent. While 8 is found to be an electrocatalyst for proton reduction to hydrogen, starting complex A can be prepared by another method involving the reaction of HC(OH)(CH2Br)2 with the in situ generated (mu-LiS) 2Fe2(CO)6. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that the bridgehead C atom of 8 is double-bonded to an O atom to form a ketone functionality, whereas the bridgehead C atoms of A, 1, 3, and 4 are equatorially-bonded to their functionalities and those of 5-7 axially-bonded to their functionalities due to formation of the corresponding P-Fe bond-containing heterocycles.     

On the electrochemistry of diiron dithiolate complexes related to the active site of the [FeFe]H2ase

A few recent electrochemical studies of diiron models of the iron-only hydrogenases' active site are summarized. Emphasis is put on the reduction mechanisms of hexacarbonyl complexes and on the different mechanisms of proton reduction that may operate depending on the nature of the complex and the strength of the acid. An attempt is made to discuss the thermodynamic and kinetic limitations of proton reduction processes supported by these compounds.     

Phosphine-substituted diiron 1,2-dithiolate complexes as the models for the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenases

Abstract

In this article, five diiron 1,2-dithiolate complexes containing phosphine ligands are reported. Treatment of complex [Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-SCH₂CH₂S)] (1) with the phosphine ligands tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphine, tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine, tris(3-chlorophenyl)phosphine, tris(3-methylphenyl)phosphine, or 2-(diphenylphosphino)biphenyl in the presence of Me₃NO·2H₂O as the decarbonylating agent afforded the target products [Fe₂(CO)₅(L)(μ-SCH₂CH₂S)] [L?=?P(4-C₆H₄CH₃)₃, 2; P(4-C₆H₄OCH₃)₃, 3; P(3-C₆H₄Cl)₃, 4; P(3-C₆H₄CH₃)₃, 5; Ph₂P(2-C₆H₄Ph), 6] in 80–93% yields. Complexes 2–6 have been characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Additionally, the electrochemical properties were studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Tris(N-pyrrolidinyl)phosphine substituted diiron dithiolate related to iron-only hydrogenase active site: Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical properties

A tris(N-pyrrolidinyl)phosphine (P(NC₄H₈)₃) monosubstituted complex, [(μ-pdt)Fe₂(CO)₅P(NC₄H₈)₃] (2) was synthesized as a functional model of the hydrogen-producing capability of the iron hydrogenase active site. The structure was fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. IR and electrochemical studies have indicated that the P(NC₄H₈)₃ ligand has better electron-donating ability than that of those phosphine ligands, such as PMe₃, PTA (1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), PMe₂Ph PPh₃, and P(OEt)₃. The electrocatalytic activity of 2 was recorded in CH₃CN in the absence and presence of weak acid, HOAc. The cathodic shift of potential at −1.98 V and the dependence of current on acid concentration have indicated that complex 2 can catalyze the reduction of protons to hydrogen at its Fe⁰Fe^I level in the presence of HOAc. IR spectroelectrochemical experiments are conducted during the reduction of 2 under nitrogen and carbon monoxide, respectively. The formation of a bridging CO group during the reduction of 2 at −1.98 V has been identified using IR spectroelectrochemical techniques, and an electrocatalytic mechanism of 2 consistent with the spectroscopic and electrochemical results is proposed.