Diferrous cyanides as models for the Fe-only hydrogenases

J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Aug 10;127(31):11010-8. doi: 10.1021/ja051584d.

Abstract

The first systematic study of diferrous dicyano dithiolates is described. Oxidation of [Fe2(S2C2H4)(CN)2(CO)4](2-) in the presence of cyanide and tertiary phosphines and of Fe2(S2C2H4)(CO)4(PMe3)2 in the presence of cyanide affords a series of diferrous cyanide derivatives that bear a stoichiometric, structural, and electronic relationship to the H(ox)(air) state of the Fe-only hydrogenases. With PPh3 as the trapping ligand, we obtained an unsymmetrical isomer of Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CN)2(PPh3)2(CO)2, as confirmed crystallographically. This diferrous cyanide features the semibridging CO-ligand, with Fe-muC bond lengths of 2.15 and 1.85 A. Four isomers of Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CN)2(PMe3)2(CO)2 were observed, the initial product again being unsymmetrical but more stable isomers being symmetrical. DFT calculations confirm that the most stable isomers of Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CN)2(PMe3)2(CO)2 have cyanide trans to mu-CO. Oxidative decarbonylation also afforded the new tetracyanide [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CN)4(CO)2]2-. Insights into the oxidative decarbonylation mechanism of these syntheses come from the spectroscopic characterization of the tetracarbonyl [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CN)3(CO)3](-). This species reacts with PEt3 to produce the stable adduct [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CN)3(CO)2(PEt3)](-).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cyanides / chemistry*
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry*
  • Hydrogenase / chemistry*
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Cyanides
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Iron-Sulfur Proteins
  • iron hydrogenase
  • Hydrogenase