[FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Mimetic Metallopolymers with Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Hydrogen Production in Water

Electrocatalytic [FeFe]‐hydrogenase mimics for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) generally suffer from low activity, high overpotential, aggregation, oxygen sensitivity, and low solubility in water. By using atom‐transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a new class of [FeFe]‐metallopolymers with precise molar mass, defined composition, and low polydispersity, has been prepared. The synthetic methodology introduced here allows facile variation of polymer composition to optimize the [FeFe] solubility, activity, and long‐term chemical and aerobic stability. Water soluble functional metallopolymers facilitate electrocatalytic hydrogen production in neutral water with loadings as low as 2 ppm and operate at rates an order of magnitude faster than hydrogenases (2.5×10⁵ s^?1), and with low overpotential requirement. Furthermore, unlike the hydrogenases, these systems are insensitive to oxygen during catalysis, with turnover numbers on the order of 40 000 under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions.     

A [RuRu] Analogue of an [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Traps the Key Hydride Intermediate of the Catalytic Cycle

The active site of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenases features a binuclear [2Fe]_H sub‐cluster that contains a unique bridging amine moiety close to an exposed iron center. Heterolytic splitting of H₂ results in the formation of a transient terminal hydride at this iron site, which, however is difficult to stabilize. We show that the hydride intermediate forms immediately when [2Fe]_H is replaced with [2Ru]_H analogues through artificial maturation. Outside the protein, the [2Ru]_H analogues form bridging hydrides, which rearrange to terminal hydrides after insertion into the apo‐protein. H/D exchange of the hydride only occurs for [2Ru]_H analogues containing the bridging amine moiety.     

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by [FeFe] Hydrogenase Mimics in Homogeneous Solution

To mimic [FeFe] hydrogenases (H₂ases) in nature, molecular photocatalysts 1a , 1b , and 1c anchoring rhenium(I) complex S to one of the iron cores of [FeFe]‐H₂ases model complex C , have been constructed for H₂ generation by visible light in homogeneous solution. The time‐dependence of H₂ evolution and a spectroscopic study demonstrate that the orientation of S and the specific bridge in 1a , 1b , and 1c are important both for the electron‐transfer step from the excited S* to the catalytic C , and the formation of unprecedented long‐lived charge separation for 1a (780 μs), 1b , and 1c (>2 ms) in [FeFe]‐H₂ases mimics. The fast forward electron‐transfer step from the excited S* to the catalytic C but the slow back electron‐transfer step of the charge‐recombination in the designed photocatalysts 1a , 1b , and 1c are reminiscent of the behavior of [FeFe]‐H₂ases in nature.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Mononuclear Iron Models of [Fe]‐Hydrogenase that Contain an Acylmethylpyridinol Ligand

[Fe]‐hydrogenase has a single iron‐containing active site that features an acylmethylpyridinol ligand. This unique ligand environment had yet to be reproduced in synthetic models; however the synthesis and reactivity of a new class of small molecule mimics of [Fe]‐hydrogenase in which a mono‐iron center is ligated by an acylmethylpyridinol ligand has now been achieved. Key to the preparation of these model compounds is the successful C?O cleavage of an alkyl ether moiety to form the desired pyridinol ligand. Reaction of solvated complex [(2‐CH₂CO‐6‐HOC₅H₃N)Fe(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂]⁺(BF₄)^? with thiols or thiophenols in the presence of NEt₃ yielded 5‐coordinate iron thiolate complexes. Further derivation produced complexes [(2‐CH₂CO‐6‐HOC₅H₃N)Fe(CO)₂(SCH₂CH₂OH)] and [(2‐CH₂CO‐6‐HOC₅H₃N)Fe(CO)₂(CH₃COO)], which can be regarded as models of FeGP cofactors of [Fe]‐hydrogenase extracted by 2‐mercaptoethanol and acetic acid, respectively. When the derivative complexes were treated with HBF₄?Et₂O, the solvated complex was regenerated by protonation of the thiolate ligands. The reactivity of several models with CO, isocyanide, cyanide, and H₂ was also investigated.     

Muonium Chemistry at Diiron Subsite Analogues of [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase

The chemistry of metal hydrides is implicated in a range of catalytic processes at metal centers. Gaining insight into the formation of such sites by protonation and/or electronation is therefore of significant value in fully exploiting the potential of such systems. Here, we show that the muonium radical (Mu^.), used as a low isotopic mass analogue of hydrogen, can be exploited to probe the early stages of hydride formation at metal centers. Mu^. undergoes the same chemical reactions as H^. and can be directly observed due to its short lifetime (in the microseconds) and unique breakdown signature. By implanting Mu^. into three models of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase active site we have been able to detect key muoniated intermediates of direct relevance to the hydride chemistry of these systems.     

Single‐Shell Carbon‐Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles: Synthesis and High Electrocatalytic Activity for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through effective and inexpensive electrocatalysts is a valuable approach for clean and renewable energy systems. Here, single‐shell carbon‐encapsulated iron nanoparticles (SCEINs) decorated on single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are introduced as a novel highly active and durable non‐noble‐metal catalyst for the HER. This catalyst exhibits catalytic properties superior to previously studied nonprecious materials and comparable to those of platinum. The SCEIN/SWNT is synthesized by a novel fast and low‐cost aerosol chemical vapor deposition method in a one‐step synthesis. In SCEINs the single carbon layer does not prevent desired access of the reactants to the vicinity of the iron nanoparticles but protects the active metallic core from oxidation. This finding opens new avenues for utilizing active transition metals such as iron in a wide range of applications.     

Non-Covalent Integration of a [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Mimic to Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Surface integration of molecular catalysts inspired from the active sites of hydrogenase enzymes represents a promising route towards developing noble metal-free and sustainable technologies for H₂ production. Efficient and stable catalyst anchoring is a key aspect to enable this approach. Herein, we report the preparation and electrochemical characterization of an original diironhexacarbonyl complex including two pyrene groups per catalytic unit in order to allow for its smooth integration, through π-interactions, onto multiwalled carbon nanotube-based electrodes. In this configuration, the grafted catalyst could reach turnover numbers for H₂ production (TON_H2) of up to 4±2×10³ within 20 h of bulk electrolysis, operating at neutral pH. Post operando analysis of catalyst functionalized electrodes revealed the degradation of the catalytic unit occurred via loss of the iron carbonyl units, while the anchoring groups and most part of the ligand remained attached onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes.     

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation by Vesicle-Embedded [FeFe]Hydrogenase Mimics: A Mechanistic Study

Artificial photosynthesis—the direct photochemical generation of hydrogen from water—is a promising but scientifically challenging future technology. Because nature employs membranes for photodriven reactions, the aim of this work is to elucidate the effect of membranes on artificial photocatalysis. To do so, a combination of electrochemistry, photocatalysis, and time-resolved spectroscopy on vesicle-embedded [FeFe]hydrogenase mimics, driven by a ruthenium tris-2,2′-bipyridine photosensitizer, is reported. The membrane effects encountered can be summarized as follows: the presence of vesicles steers the reactivity of the [FeFe]-benzodithiolate catalyst towards disproportionation, instead of protonation, due to membrane characteristics, such as providing a constant local effective pH, and concentrating and organizing species inside the membrane. The maximum turnover number is limited by photodegradation of the resting state in the catalytic cycle. Understanding these fundamental productive and destructive pathways in complex photochemical systems allows progress towards the development of efficient artificial leaves.     

{1,1′‐(Dimethylsilylene)bis[methanechalcogenolato]}diiron Complexes [2Fe2E(Si)] (E=S,Se, Te) – [FeFe] Hydrogenase Models

(Bis‐selenolato) and (bis‐tellurolato)diiron complexes [2Fe2E(Si)] were prepared and compared with the known (bis‐thiolato)diiron complex A to assess their ability to produce hydrogen from protons. Treatment of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with 4,4‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐diselenasilolane ( 1 ) in boiling toluene afforded hexacarbonyl{μ‐{[1,1′‐(dimethylsilylene)bis[methaneselenolato‐κSe : κSe]](2 ?)}}diiron(Fe? Fe) ( 2 ). The analog bis‐tellurolato complex hexacarbonyl{μ‐{[1,1′‐(dimethylsilylene)bis[methanetellurolato‐κTe : κTe]](2 ?)}}diiron(Fe? Fe) ( 3 ) was obtained by treatment of [Fe₃(CO)₁₂] with dimethylbis(tellurocyanatomethyl)dimethylsilane, which was prepared in situ. All compounds were characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The electrocatalytic properties of the [2Fe2X(Si)] (X=S, Se, Te) model complexes A, 1 , and 2 towards hydrogen formation were evaluated.     

A Reversible Proton Relay Process Mediated by Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions in [FeFe]Hydrogenase Modeling

A reversible and temperature‐dependent proton‐relay process is demonstrated for a Fe₂ complex possessing a terminal thiolate in the presence of nitrogen‐based acids. The terminal sulfur site (S^t) of the complex forms a hydrogen‐bond interaction with N,N‐dimethylanilinium acid at 183 K. The Fe₂ core, instead, is protonated to generate a bridging hydride at 298 K. Reversibility is observed for the tautomerization between the hydrogen‐bonded pair and the Fe–hydride species. X‐ray structural analysis of the hydrogen‐bonded species at 193 K reveals a short N(H)???S^t contact. Employment of pyridinium acid also results in similar behavior, with reversible proton–hydride interconversion. DFT investigation of the proton‐transfer pathways indicates that the pK_a value of the hydrogen‐bonded species is enhanced by 3.2 pK_a units when the temperature is decreased from 298 K to 183 K.     

Silicon–Heteroaromatic [FeFe] Hydrogenase Model Complexes: Insight into Protonation,Electrochemical Properties,and Molecular Structures

To learn from Nature how to create an efficient hydrogen‐producing catalyst, much attention has been paid to the investigation of structural and functional biomimics of the active site of [FeFe]‐hydrogenase. To understand their catalytic activities, the μ‐S atoms of the dithiolate bridge have been considered as possible basic sites during the catalytic processes. For this reason, a series of [FeFe]‐H₂ase mimics have been synthesized and characterized. Different [FeFe]‐hydrogenase model complexes containing bulky Si–heteroaromatic systems or fluorene directly attached to the dithiolate moiety as well as their mono‐PPh₃‐substituted derivatives have been prepared and investigated in detail by spectroscopic, electrochemical, X‐ray diffraction, and computational methods. The assembly of the herein reported series of complexes shows that the μ‐S atoms can be a favored basic site in the catalytic process. Small changes in the (hetero)‐aromatic system of the dithiolate moiety are responsible for large differences in their structures. This was elucidated in detail by DFT calculations, which were consistent with the experimental results.     

[FeFe] Hydrogenase: 2-Propanethiolato-Bridged {FeFe} Systems as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Production in Acetonitrile-Water

Diiron bis(monothiolato)-bridged hydrogenase mimics [Fe₂(μ-SⁱPr)₂(CO)₆] A (ⁱPr=isopropyl) and their phosphine derivatives [Fe₂(μ-SⁱPr)₂(CO)₅( L_1/2 )] and [Fe₂(μ-SⁱPr)₂(CO)₄( L₃ )] {tricyclohexylphosphine ( L₁ , PCy₃) 1 , triphenylphosphine ( L₂ , PPh₃) 2 and cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene ( L₃ , dppv) 3 } have been synthesized and investigated for electrocatalytic proton reduction activity in CH₃CN−H₂O. Based on the FTIR data (red-shift), the electron-donating ability of the phosphines followed the order: dppv>PCy₃>PPh₃ (average shift value with respect to complex A was 61 ( 1 ), 51 ( 2 ) and 80 ( 3 ) cm⁻¹). From CV measurements, it was seen that the catalytic reduction potential (acetic acid as proton source) shifted considerably towards positive potentials (anodic shift) on changing the solvent from pure CH₃CN to CH₃CN−H₂O (4 : 1 v/v). An increase in the percentage of water in CH₃CN led to the decomposition of complexes 1 and 3 . Though complexes A and 2 were stable in CH₃CN−H₂O (3 : 2 v/v), no improvement in electrocatalytic currents was observed.     

Attachment of a Hydrogen‐Bonding Carboxylate Side Chain to an [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Model Complex: Influence on the Catalytic Mechanism

Azapropanedithiolate (adt)‐bridged model complexes of [FeFe]‐hydrogenase bearing a carboxylic acid functionality have been designed with the aim of decreasing the potential for reduction of protons to hydrogen. Protonation of the bisphosphine complexes 4 – 6 has been studied by in situ IR and NMR spectroscopy, which revealed that protonation with triflic acid most likely takes place first at the N‐bridge for complex 4 but at the Fe? Fe bond for complexes 5 and 6 . Using an excess of acid, the diprotonated species could also be observed, but none of the protonated species was sufficiently stable to be isolated in a pure state. Electrochemical studies have provided an insight into the catalytic mechanisms under strongly acidic conditions, and have also shown that complexes 3 and 6 are electro‐active in aqueous solution even in the absence of acid, presumably due to hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen evolution, driven by visible light, has been observed for three‐component systems consisting of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺, complex 1 , 2 , or 3 , and ascorbic acid in CH₃CN/D₂O solution by on‐line mass spectrometry.