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.     

Proton‐Coupled Reduction of the Catalytic [4Fe‐4S] Cluster in [FeFe]‐Hydrogenases

In nature, [FeFe]‐hydrogenases catalyze the uptake and release of molecular hydrogen (H₂) at a unique iron‐sulfur cofactor. The absence of an electrochemical overpotential in the H₂ release reaction makes [FeFe]‐hydrogenases a prime example of efficient biocatalysis. However, the molecular details of hydrogen turnover are not yet fully understood. Herein, we characterize the initial one‐electron reduction of [FeFe]‐hydrogenases by infrared spectroscopy and electrochemistry and present evidence for proton‐coupled electron transport during the formation of the reduced state Hred′. Charge compensation stabilizes the excess electron at the [4Fe‐4S] cluster and maintains a conservative configuration of the diiron site. The role of Hred′ in hydrogen turnover and possible implications on the catalytic mechanism are discussed. We propose that regulation of the electronic properties in the periphery of metal cofactors is key to orchestrating multielectron processes.     

[FeFe] Hydrogenase: Protonation of {2Fe3S} Systems and Formation of Super‐reduced Hydride States

The synthesis and crystallographic characterization of a complex possessing a well‐defined {2Fe3S(μ‐H)} core gives access to a paramagnetic bridging hydride with retention of the core geometry. Chemistry of this 35‐electron species within the confines of a thin‐layer FTIR spectro‐electrochemistry cell provides evidence for a unprecedented super‐reduced Fe^I(μ‐H)Fe^I intermediate.     

Branched Polyethylenimine Improves Hydrogen Photoproduction from a CdSe Quantum Dot/[FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Mimic System in Neutral Aqueous Solutions

Nature uses hydrogenase enzyme to catalyze proton reduction at pH 7 with overpotentials and catalytic efficiencies that rival platinum electrodes. Over the past several years, [FeFe]‐hydrogenase ([FeFe]‐H₂ase) mimics have been demonstrated to be effective catalysts for light‐driven H₂ evolution. However, it remains a significant challenge to realize H₂ production by such an artificial photosynthetic system in neutral aqueous solution. Herein, we report a new system for photocatalytic H₂ evolution working in a broad pH range, especially under neutral conditions. This unique system is consisted of branched polyethylenimine (PEI)‐grafted [FeFe]‐H₂ase mimic (PEI‐g‐Fe₂S₂ ), MPA‐CdSe quantum dots (MPA=mercaptopropionic acid), and ascorbic acid (H₂A) in water. Due to the secondary coordination sphere of PEI, which has high buffering capacity and stabilizing ability, the system is able to produce H₂ under visible‐light irradiation with turnover number of 10 600 based on the Fe₂S₂ active site in PEI‐g‐Fe₂S₂ . The stability and activity are much better than that of the same system under acidic or basic conditions and they are, to the best of our knowledge, the highest known to date for photocatalytic H₂ evolution from a [FeFe]‐H₂ase mimic in neutral aqueous solution.     

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.     

Using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a scaffold to construct mimicking systems of [FeFe]‐hydrogenase: preparation,characterization of PEI‐based materials,and their catalysis on proton reduction

Ten branched polymeric materials (PEI‐P‐Fe₂s) derived from polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized with [Fe₂(CO)₅]‐units to mimic [FeFe]‐hydrogenase were prepared. Before the functionalization, PEI was first premodified using diphenylphosphinamine (NPPh₂) group. In the premodification, three approaches were employed: (i) using PEI with an average molecular weight of 1800 and 600, respectively; (ii) grafting NPPh₂ group by either direct reaction of chlorodiphenylphosphine with PEI or Br(CH₂)₁₁OPPh₂; and (iii) further premodification with BrCH₂COOH after immobilization of the NPPh₂ group. Reaction of the premodified PEI with diiron hexacarbonyl complexes, [Fe₂(μ‐S)₂(CO)₆] (1), or [Fe₂(μ‐S₂C₂H₄)(CO)₆] (3) produced 10 functionalized materials, PEI‐P‐Fe₂s. These materials were characterized using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, FTIR, NMR, TGA, and cyclic voltammetry. Spectral comparison with two control complexes, [Fe₂(μ‐S)₂(CO)₅PPh₃] (2) and [Fe₂(μ‐S₂C₂H₄)(CO)₅PPh₃] (4), suggested that the immobilized diiron units of PEI‐P‐Fe₂s were dominantly pentacarbonyl analogous to complexes 2 and 4, although tetracarbonyl units may also exist because the amine groups of PEI could also be involved in substituting CO, as was the NPPh₂ group. The catalysis of these materials on proton reduction was examined in 0.1 mol l^?1 [NBut₄]BF₄/DMF containing acetic acid by using cyclic voltammetry. Our results indicated that both the presence of carboxylic acid and dangling the diiron units at the end of a long aliphatic chain improved catalytic efficiency by one‐fold. The improvement was attributed to the increase in flexibility of the catalytic center and enhancement of proton transfer during the catalysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Controlled radical polymerization of styrene‐based models of the active site of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase

Within this study, we report on the first controlled radical polymerization of styrene‐based models of the active site of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase. Three different model complexes based on styrene were prepared including propanedithiolato‐bridged, 2‐azapropanedithiolato‐bridged, and bifunctional styrene iron complex. These model complexes were copolymerized with styrene using free radical and the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization method. The polymerization behavior of the hydrogenase models is discussed and analyzed in detail. It could be shown that the model complex can be incorporated into copolymers. The obtained copolymers exhibit narrow molar mass distributions. The presence of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase models were proven by atomic absorption spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as cyclovoltammetric measurements. It could be shown that the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase mimic copolymers, as well as the monomeric originating complexes exhibit electrocatalytic proton reduction at a low potential of –2.2 V. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

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.     

Aerobic Damage to [FeFe]‐Hydrogenases: Activation Barriers for the Chemical Attachment of O2

[FeFe]‐hydrogenases are the best natural hydrogen‐producing enzymes but their biotechnological exploitation is hampered by their extreme oxygen sensitivity. The free energy profile for the chemical attachment of O₂ to the enzyme active site was investigated by using a range‐separated density functional re‐parametrized to reproduce high‐level ab initio data. An activation free‐energy barrier of 13 kcal mol^?1 was obtained for chemical bond formation between the di‐iron active site and O₂, a value in good agreement with experimental inactivation rates. The oxygen binding can be viewed as an inner‐sphere electron‐transfer process that is strongly influenced by Coulombic interactions with the proximal cubane cluster and the protein environment. The implications of these results for future mutation studies with the aim of increasing the oxygen tolerance of this enzyme are discussed.     

Isolation of a Hydrogen‐Bonded Complex Based on the Anthranol/Anthroxyl Pair: Formation of a Hydrogen‐Atom Self‐Exchange System

A hydrogen‐bonded complex was successfully isolated as crystals from the anthranol/anthroxyl pair in the self‐exchange proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction. The anthroxyl radical was stabilized by the introduction of a 9‐anthryl group at the carbon atom at the 10‐position. The hydrogen‐bonded complex with anthranol self‐assembled by π–π stacking to form a one‐dimensional chain in the crystal. The conformation around the hydrogen bond was similar to that of the theoretically predicted PCET activated complex of the phenol/phenoxyl pair. X‐ray crystal analyses revealed the self‐exchange of a hydrogen atom via the hydrogen bond, indicating the activation of the self‐exchange PCET reaction between anthranol and anthroxyl. Magnetic measurements revealed that magnetic ordering inside the one‐dimensional chain caused the inactivation of the self‐exchange reaction.