Dual electron uptake by simultaneous iron and ligand reduction in an N-heterocyclic carbene substituted [FeFe] hydrogenase model compound.

An N-heterocyclic carbene containing [FeFe]H(2)ase model complex, whose X-ray structure displays an apical carbene, shows an unexpected two-electron reduction to be involved in its electrocatalytic dihydrogen production. Density functional calculations show, in addition to a one-electron Fe-Fe reduction, that the aryl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene can accept a second electron more readily than the Fe-Fe manifold. The juxtaposition of these two one-electron reductions resembles the [FeFe]H(2)ase active site with an FeFe di-iron unit joined to the electroactive 4Fe4S cluster.

The hydrophilic phosphatriazaadamantane ligand in the development of H2 production electrocatalysts: iron hydrogenase model complexes.

As functional biomimics of the hydrogen-producing capability of the dinuclear active site in [Fe]H(2)ase, the Fe(I)Fe(I) organometallic complexes, (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)PTA](2), 1-PTA(2), (pdt = SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S; PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), and (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(3)][Fe(CO)(2)PTA], 1-PTA, were synthesized and fully characterized. For comparison to the hydrophobic (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2) and [(mu-H)(mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2)](+) analogues, electrochemical responses of 1-PTA(2) and 1-(PTA.H(+))(2) were recorded in acetonitrile and in acetonitrile/water mixtures in the absence and presence of acetic acid.

Catalysis of H(2)/D(2) scrambling and other H/D exchange processes by [Fe]-hydrogenase model complexes.

Protonation of the [Fe]-hydrogenase model complex (mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2) (pdt = SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S) produces a species with a high field (1)H NMR resonance, isolated as the stable [(mu-H)(mu-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2)](+)[PF(6)](-) salt. Structural characterization found little difference in the 2Fe2S butterfly cores, with Fe.Fe distances of 2.