Selective Synthesis of Site-Differentiated Fe4S4 and Fe6S6 Clusters

Electronic isomerism in a heterometallic nickel-iron-sulfur cluster models substrate binding and cyanide inhibition of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase

The nickel-iron carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) enzyme uses a heterometallic nickel-iron-sulfur ([NiFe4S4]) cluster to catalyze the reversible interconversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). These reactions are essential for maintaining the global carbon cycle and offer a route towards sustainable greenhouse gas conversion but have not been successfully replicated in synthetic models, in part due to a poor understanding of the natural system. Though the general protein architecture of CODH is known, the electronic structure of the active site is not well-understood, and the mechanism of catalysis remains unresolved. To better understand the CODH enzyme, we have developed a protein-based model containing a heterometallic [NiFe3S4] cluster in the Pyrococcus furiosus (Pf) ferredoxin (Fd). This model binds small molecules such as carbon monoxide and cyanide, analogous to CODH. Multiple redox- and ligand-bound states of [NiFe3S4] Fd (NiFd) have been investigated using a suite of spectroscopic techniques, including resonance Raman, Ni and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance, to resolve charge and spin delocalization across the cluster, site-specific electron density, and ligand activation. The facile movement of charge through the cluster highlights the fluidity of electron density within iron-sulfur clusters and suggests an electronic basis by which CN- inhibits the native system while the CO-bound state continues to elude isolation in CODH. The detailed characterization of isolable states that are accessible in our CODH model system provides valuable insight into unresolved enzymatic intermediates and offers design principles towards developing functional mimics of CODH.

Reversible dioxygen uptake at [Cu4] clusters

Dioxygen binding solely through non-covalent interactions is rare. In living systems, dioxygen transport takes place via iron or copper-containing biological cofactors. Specifically, a reversible covalent interaction is established when O2 binds to the mono or polynuclear metal center. However, O2 stabilization in the absence of covalent bond formation is challenging and rarely observed. Here, we demonstrate a unique example of reversible non-covalent binding of dioxygen within the cavity of a well-defined synthetic all-Cu(i) tetracopper cluster.

A general method for metallocluster site-differentiation

The deployment of metalloclusters in applications such as catalysis and materials synthesis requires robust methods for site-differentiation: the conversion of clusters with symmetric ligand spheres to those with unsymmetrical ligand spheres. However, imparting precise patterns of site-differentiation is challenging because, compared with mononuclear complexes, the ligands bound to clusters exert limited spatial and electronic influence on one another. Here, we report a method that employs sterically encumbering ligands to bind to only a subset of a cluster's coordination sites. Specifically, we show that homoleptic, phosphine-ligated Fe-S clusters undergo ligand substitution with N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) to give heteroleptic clusters in which the resultant clusters' site-differentiation patterns are encoded by the steric profile of the incoming NHC. This method affords access to every site-differentiation pattern for cuboidal [Fe4S4] clusters and can be extended to other cluster types, particularly in the stereoselective synthesis of site-differentiated Chevrel-type [Fe6S8] clusters.

Isostructural bridging diferrous chalcogenide cores [FeII(μ-E)FeII] (E = O, S, Se, Te) with decreasing antiferromagnetic coupling down the chalcogenide series

Iron compounds containing a bridging oxo or sulfido moiety are ubiquitous in biological systems, but substitution with the heavier chalcogenides selenium and tellurium, however, is much rarer, with only a few examples reported to date. Here we show that treatment of the ferrous starting material [(^tBupyrpyrr₂)Fe(OEt₂)] (1-OEt₂) (^tBupyrpyrr₂ = 3,5-^tBu₂-bis(pyrrolyl)pyridine) with phosphine chalcogenide reagents E = PR₃ results in the neutral phosphine chalcogenide adduct series [(^tBupyrpyrr₂)Fe(EPR₃)] (E = O, S, Se; R = Ph; E = Te; R = ^tBu) (1-E) without any electron transfer, whereas treatment of the anionic starting material [K]₂[(^tBupyrpyrr₂)Fe₂(μ-N₂)] (2-N₂) with the appropriate chalcogenide transfer source yields cleanly the isostructural ferrous bridging mono-chalcogenide ate complexes [K]₂[(^tBupyrpyrr₂)Fe₂(μ-E)] (2-E) (E = O, S, Se, and Te) having significant deviation in the Fe-E-Fe bridge from linear in the case of E = O to more acute for the heaviest chalcogenide. All bridging chalcogenide complexes were analyzed using a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including ¹H NMR, UV-Vis electronic absorbtion, and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer. The spin-state and degree of communication between the two ferrous ions were probed via SQUID magnetometry, where it was found that all iron centers were high-spin (S = 2) Fe^II, with magnetic exchange coupling between the Fe^II ions. Magnetic studies established that antiferromagnetic coupling between the ferrous ions decreases as the identity of the chalcogen is tuned from O to the heaviest congener Te.

Structural insight into halide-coordinated [Fe4S4XnY4-n]2- clusters (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) by XRD and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Iron sulphur halide clusters [Fe₄S₄Br₄]^2- and [Fe₄S₄X₂Y₂]^2- (X, Y = Cl, Br, I) were obtained in excellent yields (77 to 78%) and purity from [Fe(CO)₅], elemental sulphur, I₂ and benzyltrimethylammonium (BTMA⁺) iodide, bromide and chloride. Single crystals of (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Br₄] (1), (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Br₂Cl₂] (2), (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Cl₂I₂] (3), and (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄Br₂I₂] (4) were isostructural to the previously reported (BTMA)₂[Fe₄S₄I₄] (5) (monoclinic, Cc). Instead of the chloride cubane cluster [Fe₄S₄Cl₄]^2-, we found the prismane-shaped cluster (BTMA)₃[Fe₆S₆Cl₆] (6) (P1̄). ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy indicates complete delocalisation with Fe^2.5+ oxidation states for all iron atoms. Magnetic measurements showed small χ_MT values at 298 K ranging from 1.12 to 1.54 cm³ K mol^-1, indicating the dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. With decreasing temperature, the χ_MT values decreased to reach a plateau at around 100 K. From about 20 K, the values drop significantly. Fitting the data in the Heisenberg-Dirac-van Vleck (HDvV) as well as the Heisenberg Double Exchange (HDE) formalism confirmed the delocalisation and antiferromagnetic coupling assumed from Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Metal-Support Interactions in Molecular Single-Site Cluster Catalysts

This study provides atomistic insights into the interface between a single-site catalyst and a transition metal chalcogenide support and reveals that peak catalytic activity occurs when edge/support redox cooperativity is maximized. A molecular platform MCo₆Se₈(PEt₃)₄(L)₂ (1-M, M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) was designed in which the active site (M)/support (Co₆Se₈) interactions are interrogated by systematically probing the electronic and structural changes that occur as the identity of the metal varies. All 3d transition metal 1-M clusters display remarkable catalytic activity for coupling tosyl azide and tert-butyl isocyanide, with Mn and Co derivatives showing the fastest turnover in the series. Structural, electronic, and magnetic characterization of the clusters was performed using single crystal X-ray diffraction, ¹H and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and computational methods. Distinct metal/support redox regimes can be accessed in 1-M based on the energy of the edge metal's frontier orbitals with respect to those of the cluster support. As the degree of electronic interaction between the edge and the support increases, a cooperative regime is reached wherein the support can deliver electrons to the catalytic site, increasing the reactivity of key metal-nitrenoid intermediates.

Redox-Switchable Allosteric Effects in Molecular Clusters

We demonstrate that allosteric effects and redox state changes can be harnessed to create a switch that selectively and reversibly regulates the coordination chemistry of a single site on the surface of a molecular cluster. This redox-switchable allostery is employed as a guiding force to assemble the molecular clusters Zn₃Co₆Se₈L'₆ (L' = Ph₂PN(H)Tol, Ph = phenyl, Tol = 4-tolyl) into materials of predetermined dimensionality (1- or 2-D) and to encode them with emissive properties. This work paves the path to program the assembly and function of inorganic clusters into stimuli-responsive, atomically precise materials.

Structure, reactivity, and spectroscopy of nitrogenase-related synthetic and biological clusters

The reduction of dinitrogen (N2) is essential for its incorporation into nucleic acids and amino acids, which are vital to life on earth. Nitrogenases convert atmospheric dinitrogen to two ammonia molecules (NH3) under ambient conditions. The catalytic active sites of these enzymes (known as FeM-cofactor clusters, where M = Mo, V, Fe) are the sites of N2 binding and activation and have been a source of great interest for chemists for decades. In this review, recent studies on nitrogenase-related synthetic molecular complexes and biological clusters are discussed, with a focus on their reactivity and spectroscopic characterization. The molecular models that are discussed span from simple mononuclear iron complexes to multinuclear iron complexes and heterometallic iron complexes. In addition, recent work on the extracted biological cofactors is discussed. An emphasis is placed on how these studies have contributed towards our understanding of the electronic structure and mechanism of nitrogenases.

An [Fe4S4]3+-Alkyl Cluster Stabilized by an Expanded Scorpionate Ligand

Alkyl-ligated iron-sulfur clusters in the [Fe₄S₄]³⁺ charge state have been proposed as short-lived intermediates in a number of enzymatic reactions. To better understand the properties of these intermediates, we have prepared and characterized the first synthetic [Fe₄S₄]³⁺-alkyl cluster. Isolation of this highly reactive species was made possible by the development of an expanded scorpionate ligand suited to the encapsulation of cuboidal clusters. Like the proposed enzymatic intermediates, this synthetic [Fe₄S₄]³⁺-alkyl cluster adopts an S = ¹/₂ ground state with g_iso > 2. Mössbauer spectroscopic studies reveal that the alkylated Fe has an unusually low isomer shift, which reflects the highly covalent Fe-C bond and the localization of Fe³⁺ at the alkylated site in the solid state. Paramagnetic ¹H NMR studies establish that this valence localization persists in solution at physiologically relevant temperatures, an effect that has not been observed for [Fe₄S₄]³⁺ clusters outside of a protein. These findings establish the unusual electronic-structure effects imparted by the strong-field alkyl ligand and lay the foundation for understanding the electronic structures of [Fe₄S₄]³⁺-alkyl intermediates in biology.

Kinetic versus thermodynamic metalation enables synthesis of isostructural homo- and heterometallic trinuclear clusters

Temperature-dependent metalation of a new hexadentate enables the selective synthesis of both mononuclear (i.e. kinetic product) and trinuclear (i.e. thermodynamic product) complexes.

Remote Ligand Modifications Tune Electronic Distribution and Reactivity in Site-Differentiated, High-Spin Iron Clusters: Flipping Scaling Relationships

We report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of [LFe₃O(^RArIm)₃Fe][OTf]₂, the first Hammett series of a site-differentiated cluster. The cluster reduction potentials and CO stretching frequencies shift as expected on the basis of the electronic properties of the ligand: electron-donating substituents result in more reducing clusters and weaker C-O bonds. However, unusual trends in the energetics of their two sequential CO binding events with the substituent σ_p parameters are observed. Specifically, introduction of electron-donating substituents suppresses the first CO binding event (ΔΔH by as much as 7.9 kcal mol^-1) but enhances the second (ΔΔH by as much as 1.9 kcal mol^-1). X-ray crystallography, including multiple-wavelength anomalous diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry, reveal that these substituent effects result from changes in the energetic penalty associated with electronic redistribution within the cluster, which occurs during the CO binding event.

Rethinking the Nitrogenase Mechanism: Activating the Active Site

Metalloenzymes called nitrogenases (N₂ases) harness the reactivity of transition metals to reduce N₂ to NH₃. Specifically, N₂ases feature a multimetallic active site, called a cofactor, which binds and reduces N₂. The seven Fe centers and one additional metal center (Mo, V, or Fe) that make up the cofactor are all potential substrate binding sites. Unraveling the mechanism by which the cofactor binds N₂ and reduces N₂ to NH₃ represents a multifaceted challenge because cofactor activation is required for N₂ binding and functionalization to NH₃. Despite decades of fascinating contributions, the nature of N₂ binding to the active site and the structure of the activated cofactor remain unknown. Herein, we discuss the challenges associated with N₂ reduction and how transition metal complexes facilitate N₂ functionalization by coordinating N₂. We also review the activation and/or reaction mechanisms reported for small molecule catalysts and the Haber-Bosch catalyst and discuss their potential relevance to biological N₂ fixation. Finally, we survey what is known about the mechanism of N₂ase and highlight recent X-ray crystallographic studies supporting Fe-S bond cleavage at the active site to generate reactive Fe centers as a potential, underexplored route for cofactor activation. We propose that structural rearrangements, beyond electron and proton transfers, are key in generating the catalytically active state(s) of the cofactor. Understanding the mechanism of activation will be key to understanding N₂ binding and reduction.

Progress in Synthesizing Analogues of Nitrogenase Metalloclusters for Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia

Ammonia (NH3) has played an essential role in meeting the increasing demand for food and the worldwide need for nitrogen (N2) fertilizer since 1913. Unfortunately, the traditional Haber–Bosch process for producing NH3 from N2 is a high energy-consumption process with approximately 1.9 metric tons of fossil CO2 being released per metric ton of NH3 produced. As a very challenging target, any ideal NH3 production process reducing fossil energy consumption and environmental pollution would be welcomed. Catalytic NH3 synthesis is an attractive and promising alternative approach. Therefore, developing efficient catalysts for synthesizing NH3 from N2 under ambient conditions would create a significant opportunity to directly provide nitrogenous fertilizers in agricultural fields as needed in a distributed manner. In this paper, the literature on alternative, available, and sustainable NH3 production processes in terms of the scientific aspects of the spatial structures of nitrogenase metalloclusters, the mechanism of reducing N2 to NH3 catalyzed by nitrogenase, the synthetic analogues of nitrogenase metalloclusters, and the opportunities for continued research are reviewed.

A Synthetic Model of Enzymatic [Fe4S4]-Alkyl Intermediates

Although alkyl complexes of [Fe₄S₄] clusters have been invoked as intermediates in a number of enzymatic reactions, obtaining a detailed understanding of their reactivity patterns and electronic structures has been difficult owing to their transient nature. To address this challenge, we herein report the synthesis and characterization of a 3:1 site-differentiated [Fe₄S₄]²⁺–alkyl cluster. Whereas [Fe₄S₄]²⁺ clusters typically exhibit pairwise delocalized electronic structures in which each Fe has a formal valence of 2.5+, Mössbauer spectroscopic and computational studies suggest that the highly electron-releasing alkyl group partially localizes the charge distribution within the cubane, an effect that has not been previously observed in tetrahedrally coordinated [Fe₄S₄] clusters.

A high-nuclearity complex containing a decanuclear iron(iii)/oxo cage in a football-like structure and rare (R-/S)-hemiacetalate ligands in a butterfly-like format

A challenge in the field of high nuclearity Fe(iii)/oxo cluster chemistry remains the development of new synthetic methods to such molecules. In this work, the employment of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (py-2-al) in high-nuclearity transition-metal cluster chemistry has provided access to an unprecedented decanuclear iron(iii) complex, [Fe₁₀(NO₃)₇(O)₆(OH_0.5)₂((S)-py-hemi)₄((R)-py-hemi)₄]·4H₂O (1) ((R-/S)-py-hemi = (R-/S)-pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde hemiacetalate). The synthesis, beautiful structure and the physical characterization (thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic susceptibility) of complex 1 are described in this contribution. Complex 1 provides a new route to obtain high nuclearity magnetic clusters with beautiful structures.

The employment of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde in high-nuclearity cluster chemistry has provided access to a decanuclear iron(iii)/oxo cage in football-like structure and unusual (R-/S)-hemiacetalate ligands in butterfly-like format.