Hydrogenase Models and Studies Based on Iron Carbonyl Chelate Complexes

Abstract

New routes to Fe2(SR)2(CO)4L2 complexes have been elucidated, starting from the CO-free iron sources of FeCl2 or iron powder. Such routes utilize oxidative carbonylation, reductive carbonylation, or comproportionation. The routes readily allow isotopic-labeling of model complexes with 57Fe for study by specialized techniques, e.g. Mossbauer or NRVS, generating new insights into [FeFe]- and Hmd-H 2ases. A comproportionation route permits selective labeling of one iron center of the diiron unit with 57Fe. Also, the comproportionation route is finding further utility in generating heterometallic dinuclear complexes.