Thiolate-bridged nickel-copper complexes: a binuclear model for the catalytic site of acetyl coenzyme a synthase?

Reaction of the nickel metalloligands [EtN2S2]Ni (EtN2S2, N,N'-diethyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,9-dithiolate) or K2[Ni(phmi)] (phmi, N,N'-1,2-phenylenebis(2-sulfanyl-2-methylpropionamide)) with [Cu(CH3CN)4]BF4 yields polynuclear complexes in which two copper(I) ions are bridged by the nickel metalloligands. Alternatively, reaction with the Cu(I) source, [(PhTttBu)Cu] (PhTttBu, phenyltris((tert-butylthio)methyl)borate), generates discrete binuclear NiCu complexes that may serve as models of the acetyl coenzyme A synthase active site. The binuclear species react reversibly with CO via rupture of the thiolate bridges.