Detection of Transient Intermediates Generated from Subsite Analogues of [FeFe] Hydrogenases

Understanding the structure and dynamics of hydrogenases by ultrafast and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

Hydrogenases are valuable model enzymes for sustainable energy conversion approaches using H2, but rational utilization of these base-metal biocatalysts requires a detailed understanding of the structure and dynamics of their complex active sites. The intrinsic CO and CN- ligands of these metalloenzymes represent ideal chromophores for infrared (IR) spectroscopy, but structural and dynamic insight from conventional IR absorption experiments is limited. Here, we apply ultrafast and two-dimensional (2D) IR spectroscopic techniques, for the first time, to study hydrogenases in detail. Using an O2-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase as a model system, we demonstrate that IR pump-probe spectroscopy can explore catalytically relevant ligand bonding by accessing high-lying vibrational states. This ultrafast technique also shows that the protein matrix is influential in vibrational relaxation, which may be relevant for energy dissipation from the active site during fast reaction steps. Further insights into the relevance of the active site environment are provided by 2D-IR spectroscopy, which reveals equilibrium dynamics and structural constraints imposed on the H2-accepting intermediate of [NiFe] hydrogenases. Both techniques offer new strategies for uniquely identifying redox-structural states in complex catalytic mixtures via vibrational quantum beats and 2D-IR off-diagonal peaks. Together, these findings considerably expand the scope of IR spectroscopy in hydrogenase research, and new perspectives for the characterization of these enzymes and other (bio-)organometallic targets are presented.

Ultrafast Photodynamics of Cyano-Functionalized [FeFe] Hydrogenase Model Compounds

[FeFe] hydrogenases are efficient enzymes that produce hydrogen gas under mild conditions. Synthetic model compounds containing all CO or mixed CO/PMe3 ligands were previously studied by us and others with ultrafast ultraviolet or visible pump-infrared probe spectroscopy in an effort to better understand the function and interactions of the active site with light. Studies of anionic species containing cyano groups, which more closely match the biological active site, have been elusive. In this work, two model compounds dissolved in room-temperature acetonitrile solution were examined: [Fe2(μ-S2C3H6)(CO)4(CN)2]2- (1) and [Fe2(μ-S2C2H4)(CO)4(CN)2]2- (2). These species exhibit long-lived transient signals consistent with loss of one CO ligand with potential isomerization of newly formed ground electronic state photoproducts, as previously observed with all-CO and CO/PMe3-containing models. We find no evidence for fast (ca. 150 ps) relaxation seen in the all-CO and CO/PMe3 compounds because of the absence of the metal-to-metal charge transfer band in the cyano-functionalized models. These results indicate that incorporation of cyano ligands may significantly alter the electronic properties and photoproducts produced immediately after photoexcitation, which may influence the catalytic activity of model compounds when attached to photosensitizers.

Structural and Kinetic Studies of Intermediates of a Biomimetic Diiron Proton-Reduction Catalyst

One-electron reduction and subsequent protonation of a biomimetic proton-reduction catalyst [FeFe(μ-pdt)(CO)₆] (pdt = propanedithiolate), 1, were investigated by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy on a nano- to microsecond time scale. The study aimed to provide further insight into the proton-reduction cycle of this [FeFe]-hydrogenase model complex, which with its prototypical alkyldithiolate-bridged diiron core is widely employed as a molecular, precious metal-free catalyst for sustainable H₂ generation. The one-electron-reduced catalyst was obtained transiently by electron transfer from photogenerated [Ru(dmb)₃]⁺ in the absence of proton sources or in the presence of acids (dichloro- or trichloroacetic acid or tosylic acid). The reduced catalyst and its protonation product were observed in real time by UV-vis and IR spectroscopy, leading to their structural characterization and providing kinetic data on the electron and proton transfer reactions. 1 features an intact (μ²,κ²-pdt)(μ-H)Fe₂ core in the reduced, 1^-, and reduced-protonated states, 1H, in contrast to the Fe-S bond cleavage upon the reduction of [FeFe(bdt)(CO)₆], 2, with a benzenedithiolate bridge. The driving-force dependence of the rate constants for the protonation of 1^- (k_pt = 7.0 × 10⁵, 1.3 × 10⁷, and 7.0 × 10⁷ M^-1 s^-1 for the three acids used in this study) suggests a reorganization energy >1 eV and indicates that hydride complex 1H is formed by direct protonation of the Fe-Fe bond. The protonation of 1^- is sufficiently fast even with the weaker acids, which excludes a rate-limiting role in light-driven H₂ formation under typical conditions.

Dynamic Flexibility of Hydrogenase Active Site Models Studied with 2D-IR Spectroscopy

Hydrogenase enzymes enable organisms to use H₂ as an energy source, having evolved extremely efficient biological catalysts for the reversible oxidation of molecular hydrogen. Small-molecule mimics of these enzymes provide both simplified models of the catalysis reactions and potential artificial catalysts that might be used to facilitate a hydrogen economy. We have studied two diiron hydrogenase mimics, μ-pdt-[Fe(CO)₃]₂ and μ-edt-[Fe(CO)₃]₂ (pdt = propanedithiolate, edt = ethanedithiolate), in a series of alkane solvents and have observed significant ultrafast spectral dynamics using two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy. Since solvent fluctuations in nonpolar alkanes do not lead to substantial electrostatic modulations in a solute's vibrational mode frequencies, we attribute the spectral diffusion dynamics to intramolecular flexibility. The intramolecular origin is supported by the absence of any measurable solvent viscosity dependence, indicating that the frequency fluctuations are not coupled to the solvent motional dynamics. Quantum chemical calculations reveal a pronounced coupling between the low-frequency torsional rotation of the carbonyl ligands and the terminal CO stretching vibrations. The flexibility of the CO ligands has been proposed to play a central role in the catalytic reaction mechanism, and our results highlight that the CO ligands are highly flexible on a picosecond time scale.

Muonium Chemistry at Diiron Subsite Analogues of [FeFe]-Hydrogenase

The chemistry of metal hydrides is implicated in a range of catalytic processes at metal centers. Gaining insight into the formation of such sites by protonation and/or electronation is therefore of significant value in fully exploiting the potential of such systems. Here, we show that the muonium radical (Mu^.), used as a low isotopic mass analogue of hydrogen, can be exploited to probe the early stages of hydride formation at metal centers. Mu^. undergoes the same chemical reactions as H^. and can be directly observed due to its short lifetime (in the microseconds) and unique breakdown signature. By implanting Mu^. into three models of the [FeFe]‐hydrogenase active site we have been able to detect key muoniated intermediates of direct relevance to the hydride chemistry of these systems.

Ligand Displacement Reaction Paths in a Diiron Hydrogenase Active Site Model Complex

The mechanism and energetics of CO, 1-hexene, and 1-hexyne substitution from the complexes (SBenz)2 [Fe2 (CO)6 ] (SBenz=SCH2 Ph) (1-CO), (SBenz)2 [Fe2 (CO)5 (η(2) -1-hexene)] (1-(η(2) -1-hexene)), and (SBenz)2 [Fe2 (CO)5 (η(2) -1-hexyne)] (1-(η(2) -1-hexyne)) were studied by using time-resolved infrared spectroscopy. Exchange of both CO and 1-hexyne by P(OEt)3 and pyridine, respectively, proceeds by a bimolecular mechanism. As similar activation enthalpies are obtained for both reactions, the rate-determining step in both cases is assumed to be the rotation of the Fe(CO)2 L (L=CO or 1-hexyne) unit to accommodate the incoming ligand. The kinetic profile for the displacement of 1-hexene is quite different than that for the alkyne and, in this case, both reaction channels, that is, dissociative (SN 1) and associative (SN 2), were found to be competitive. Because DFT calculations predict similar binding enthalpies of alkene and alkyne to the iron center, the results indicate that the bimolecular pathway in the case of the alkyne is lower in free energy than that of the alkene. In complexes of this type, subtle changes in the departing ligand characteristics and the nature of the mercapto bridge can influence the exchange mechanism, such that more than one reaction pathway is available for ligand substitution. The difference between this and the analogous study of (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)3 ]2 (pdt=S(CH2 )3 S) underscores the unique characteristics of a three-atom S-S linker in the active site of diiron hydrogenases.

Following [FeFe] Hydrogenase Active Site Intermediates by Time-Resolved Mid-IR Spectroscopy

Time-resolved nanosecond mid-infrared spectroscopy is for the first time employed to study the [FeFe] hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and to investigate relevant intermediates of the enzyme active site. An actinic 355 nm, 10 ns laser flash triggered photodissociation of a carbonyl group from the CO-inhibited state Hox-CO to form the state Hox, which is an intermediate of the catalytic proton reduction cycle. Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy allowed us to directly follow the subsequent rebinding of the carbonyl, re-forming Hox-CO, and determine the reaction half-life to be t1/2 ≈ 13 ± 5 ms at room temperature. This gives direct information on the dynamics of CO inhibition of the enzyme.

Hydrogenase Enzymes and Their Synthetic Models: The Role of Metal Hydrides

Hydrogenase enzymes efficiently process H2 and protons at organometallic FeFe, NiFe, or Fe active sites. Synthetic modeling of the many H2ase states has provided insight into H2ase structure and mechanism, as well as afforded catalysts for the H2 energy vector. Particularly important are hydride-bearing states, with synthetic hydride analogues now known for each hydrogenase class. These hydrides are typically prepared by protonation of low-valent cores. Examples of FeFe and NiFe hydrides derived from H2 have also been prepared. Such chemistry is more developed than mimicry of the redox-inactive monoFe enzyme, although functional models of the latter are now emerging. Advances in physical and theoretical characterization of H2ase enzymes and synthetic models have proven key to the study of hydrides in particular, and will guide modeling efforts toward more robust and active species optimized for practical applications.

Encapsulating Subsite Analogues of the [FeFe]-Hydrogenases in Micelles Enables Direct Water Interactions

Encapsulation of subsite analogues of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzymes in supramolecular structures has been shown to dramatically increase their catalytic ability, but the molecular basis for this enhancement remains unclear. We report the results of experiments employing infrared absorption, ultrafast infrared pump-probe, and 2D-IR spectroscopy to investigate the molecular environment of Fe2(pdt)(CO)6 (pdt: propanedithiolate) [1] encapsulated in the dispersed alkane phase of a heptane-dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide-water microemulsion. It is demonstrated that 1 is partitioned between two molecular environments, one that closely resembles bulk heptane solution and a second that features direct hydrogen-bonding interactions with water molecules that penetrate the surfactant shell. Our results demonstrate that the extent of water access to the normally water-insoluble subsite analogue 1 can be tuned with micelle size, while IR spectroscopy provides a straightforward tool that can be used to measure and fine-tune the chemical environment of catalyst species in self-assembled structures.