Synthesis,structure and electrocatalytic H2-evoluting activity of a dinickel model complex related to the active site of [NiFe]-hydrogenases

Structural and functional biomimicking of the active site of [NiFe]-hydrogenases can provide helpful hints for designing bioinspired catalysts to replace the expensive noble metal catalysts for H₂ generation and uptake. Treatment of dianion [Ni(phma)]²⁻ [H₄phma = N,N'-1,2-phenylenebis(2-mercaptoacetamide)] with [NiCl₂(dppp)] (dppp = bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) yielded a dinickel product [Ni(phma)(μ-S,S')Ni(dppp)] (1) as the model complex relevant to the active site of [NiFe]-H₂ases. The structure of complex 1 has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. From cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis studies, complex 1 was found to be a moderate electrocatalyst for the H₂-evoluting reaction using ClCH₂COOH as the proton source.     

Synthesis of alanine and leucine by reductive amination of 2-oxoic acid with combination of hydrogenase and dehydrogenase

Alanine synthesis by reductive amination of pyruvate was performed by the combination of NADH regeneration system and alanine dehydrogenase (AlaDH). The conversion of pyruvate to alanine was 99% after 1 h. Leucine synthesis was also carried out by the combination of NADH regeneration system and leucine dehydrogenase (LeuDH). The conversion of 4-methyl-2-oxovalerate to leucine was 60% after 1.5 h.     

Synthesis of glutamate by reductive amination of 2-oxoglutarate with the combination of hydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase

Glutamate synthesis by reductive amination of 2-oxoglutarate was performed by the combination of NADH regeneration system and glutamate dehydrogenase (GluDH). The conversion of 2-oxoglutamate to glutamate was 98% after 3 h, and the turnover number of NAD⁺was 17.     

Hydrogenase enzymes: Recent structural studies and active site models

Recent developments in active site structure determination of the three types of hydrogenase enzymes are described. Aspects of recent studies using model complexes relevant to the structure and function of the enzymes are reviewed.     

Direct Bioelectrocatalysis by NADP‐Reducing Hydrogenase from Pyrococcus furiosus

The direct bioelectrocatalysis by an NAD(P)‐reducing hydrogenase is reported for the first time. In contrast to previous attempts to involve similar enzymes in bioelectrocatalysis [1–4], which were in fact unsuccessful, in our report an effective electrocatalysis by Pyrococcus furiosus hydrogenase is convincingly shown by (i) achievement of the hydrogen equilibrium potential and (ii) a high current of hydrogen oxidation (0.3 mA cm^?2 at 100 mV overpotential and at 75 °C). The latter is just a few times lower compared to enzyme electrodes based on NAD(P)‐independent hydrogenases.     

Cyanide Binding to [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Stabilizes the Alternative Configuration of the Proton Transfer Pathway

Hydrogenases are H₂ converting enzymes that harbor catalytic cofactors in which iron (Fe) ions are coordinated by biologically unusual carbon monoxide (CO) and cyanide (CN⁻) ligands. Extrinsic CO and CN⁻, however, inhibit hydrogenases. The mechanism by which CN⁻ binds to [FeFe]-hydrogenases is not known. Here, we obtained crystal structures of the CN⁻-treated [FeFe]-hydrogenase CpI from Clostridium pasteurianum. The high resolution of 1.39 Å allowed us to distinguish intrinsic CN⁻ and CO ligands and to show that extrinsic CN⁻ binds to the open coordination site of the cofactor where CO is known to bind. In contrast to other inhibitors, CN⁻ treated crystals show conformational changes of conserved residues within the proton transfer pathway which could allow a direct proton transfer between E279 and S319. This configuration has been proposed to be vital for efficient proton transfer, but has never been observed structurally.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of sulfur rich iron (II) carbonyl dimers: Facile reversible reaction with carbon monoxide

The sulfur-rich iron carbonyl dimer complexes [Fe(CO)₂(S′^SiS₂)]₂ (2), and [Fe(CO)(S′^SiS₂)]₂ (3) have been prepared. The [2Fe-2S] cores of the new complexes are planar. The binding mode of the tridentate sulfur ligand in complex 2 is facial with a S(thiolate)-Fe-S(thiolate) angle of 92°, while in complex 3, the S′^SiS₂ ligand binds the metal with a S(thiolate)-M-S(thiolate) angle of 120°. The Fe-Fe distance is reduced from 3.45 Å in complex 2 to 2.78 Å in the 32 electron dimer complex 3. Complexes 2 and 3 are at equilibrium in solution and can be readily interconverted by addition or removal of CO.