Precursors to clusters with the topology of the P(N) cluster of nitrogenase: edge-bridged double cubane clusters [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S8L4]z: synthesis, structures, and electron transfer series

Cubane-type tungsten-iron-sulfur clusters with a nitrogen atom in the core: terminal ligand substitutions and redox behaviors

The lack of M-Fe-S (M = Mo or W) clusters incorporating a second period (2p) atom in the core has resulted in limited investigations and poor understanding of the physical and chemical properties of the M-Fe-S clusters closely related to the FeMo cofactor. In this work, systematic studies have been carried out to explore the chemical reactivities at the terminal ligand sites and the redox properties of a series of clusters comprising a [WFe₃S₃N] cubane core, based on the previously developed cluster [(Tp*)WFe₃S₃(μ₃-NSiMe₃)Cl₃]^1-. Substitutions of the terminal chlorides with ethanethiolate, methanethiolate, thiophenolate, p-thiocresolate and azide occurred smoothly, while the replacement of the chlorides with carbene ligands required the reduction of the precursor into [(Tp*)WFe₃S₃(μ₃-NSiMe₃)Cl₃]^2- first. The reduced cluster core could also be supported by thiophenolates as terminal ligands, but not thiolates or azides. It is remarkable that the thiophenolate ligated reduced cluster can be synthesized from the precursor [(Tp*)WFe₃S₃(μ₃-NSiMe₃)Cl₃]^1-via different synthetic routes, either reduction followed by substitution or substitution followed by reduction, either in situ or stepwise. This work indicates that terminal ligands contribute significantly to determine the chemical and physical properties of the clusters, even though they might affect the cluster core to a limited extent from a structural point of view, which raises the possibility of delicate control in regulating the physical/chemical properties of M-Fe-S clusters with a heteroleptic core incorporating 2p atom(s).

Nitride-incorporated W-Fe-S double cubane clusters: terminal ligand substitutions and redox behaviors

Structural mimicking of the nitrogenase FeMo cofactor has long been a challenge in synthetic inorganic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. This already very tough task had become even harder after the discovery of an interstitial light atom, which was later evidenced to be carbide. From a synthetic point of view, to introduce such a 2p atom into the core of a Fe-S cluster would have to overcome the coordination competition from overwhelming sulfide ligands. Recently, we have reported a controlled synthetic strategy named redox metathesis based on template-assisted structure design, and have successfully synthesized a couple of nitride-incorporated edge-bridged double cubane (N-EBDC) W-Fe-S clusters. In this work, we have systematically studied the terminal ligand substitutions of heteroleptic N-EBDC clusters, utilizing ethanethiolate, thiophenolate, p-thiocresolate, azide, and methoxide to replace the terminally bound chloride ligands. Structural analysis of this family of N-EBDC clusters reveals that different terminal ligands affect the fine structures of the cluster cores at different levels. Further studies by cyclic voltammetry indicate that these N-EBDC clusters with distinct terminal ligands exhibit different redox behaviors, furnishing in-depth information on the electronic structure of these clusters potentially related to their reactivity. This study provided useful information for the investigation of nitrogenase related Fe-S clusters toward structural and functional mimicking of the nitrogenase FeMo cofactor.

Isolated Mixed-Valence Iron Vanadium Malate and Its Metal Hydrates (M = Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+) with Reversible and Irreversible Adsorptions for Oxygen

Isolated octanuclear iron-vanadium malate (NH₄)₃(CH₃NH₃)₃[Fe^III₂V^IV₂V^V₄O₁₁(mal)₆]·7.5H₂O (1; H₃mal = malic acid) and its family of metal hydrates M'_3n[M^II(H₂O)₂]_1.5n[Fe^III₂V^IV₂V^V₄O₁₁(mal)₆]_n·xnH₂O (2 or 2-Fe, M' = NH₄⁺, M = Fe, x = 7.5; 3 or 3-Cu, M' = K⁺, M = Cu, x = 10; 4 or 4-Zn, M' = K⁺, M = Zn, x = 6.5) have been obtained by self-assembly in water. The cluster anion [Fe₂V₆O₁₁(mal)₆]^6- (1a) shows an interesting iron bicapped-triangular-prismatic structure, which is bridged by M²⁺ hydrates (M = Fe, Cu, Zn) to construct isostructural metal organic frameworks (MOFs) 2-4. The mixed-valence vanadium systems in 1-4 were determined by theoretical bond valence calculations (BVS) and charge balance. The magnetic susceptibilities are further elucidated as high spin for Fe³⁺ in 1a and bridging Fe²⁺ in 2-Fe, respectively. A strong ferromagnetic interaction was also observed for 2-Fe at 3 K. 2-Fe, 3-Cu, and 4-Zn have similar hydrophilic channels with diameters of 6.8, 6.5, and 6.6 Å, respectively, which show obvious affinity for O₂ in comparison with no adsorption of N₂, H₂, CO₂, and CH₄ at room temperature under different pressures. Moreover, 2-Fe and 4-Zn exhibit irreversible O₂ absorptions, which may be attributed to charge transfer between O₂ and open metal sites (OMSs) formed during vacuum heating pretreatment. UV-vis and EPR spectra show a change in electronic structure of 2-Fe after O₂ adsorption. The reversible adsorption observed in 3-Cu suggests a weak interaction between O₂ and Cu²⁺ due to the Jahn-Teller effect. The properties of gas adsorption provide an insight into the performances of small molecules in the channels constructed by synthetic octanuclear model compounds, which are related to the interactions between the gas substrate and the heterometal cluster in biology.

Controlled Incorporation of Nitrides into W-Fe-S Clusters

Incorporation of monatomic 2p ligands into the core of iron-sulfur clusters has been researched since the discovery of interstitial carbide in the FeMo cofactor of Mo-dependent nitrogenase, but has proven to be a synthetic challenge. Herein, two distinct synthetic pathways are rationalized to install nitride ligands into targeted positions of W-Fe-S clusters, generating unprecedented nitride-ligated iron-sulfur clusters, namely [(Tp*)₂ W₂ Fe₆ (μ₄ -N)₂ S₆ L₄ ]^2- (Tp*=tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)hydroborate(1-), L=Cl^- or Br^- ). ⁵⁷ Fe Mössbauer study discloses metal oxidation states of W^IV ₂ Fe^II ₄ Fe^III ₂ with localized electron distribution, which is analogous to the mid-valent iron centres of FeMo cofactor at resting state. Good agreement of Mössbauer data with the empirical linear relationship for Fe-S clusters indicates similar ligand behaviour of nitride and sulfide in such clusters, providing useful reference for reduced nitrogen in a nitrogenase-like environment.

Solvent effect-driven assembly of W/Cu/S cluster-based coordination polymers from the cluster precursor [Et4N][Tp*WS3(CuBr)3] and CuCN: isolation, structures and enhanced NLO responses

Solvent modulation of a W/Cu/S cluster and CuCN reaction system provides coordination polymers with enhanced nonlinear optical performances.

Selenium as a structural surrogate of sulfur: template-assisted assembly of five types of tungsten-iron-sulfur/selenium clusters and the structural fate of chalcogenide reactants

Syntheses of five types of tungsten-iron-sulfur/selenium clusters, namely, incomplete cubanes, single cubanes, edge-bridged double cubanes (EBDCs), P(N)-type clusters, and double-cuboidal clusters, have been devised using the concept of template-assisted assembly. The template reactant is six-coordinate [(Tp*)W(VI)S(3)](1-) [Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydroborate(1-)], which in the assembly systems organizes Fe(2+/3+) and sulfide/selenide into cuboidal [(Tp*)WFe(2)S(3)] or cubane [(Tp*)WFe(3)S(3)Q] (Q = S, Se) units. With appropriate terminal iron ligation, these units are capable of independent existence or may be transformed into higher-nuclearity species. Selenide is used as a surrogate for sulfide in cluster assembly in order to determine by X-ray structures the position occupied by an external chalcogenide nucleophile or an internal chalcogenide atom in the product clusters. Specific incorporation of selenide is demonstrated by the formation of [WFe(3)S(3)Se](2+/3+) cubane cores. Reductive dimerization of the cubane leads to the EBDC core [W(2)Fe(6)S(6)Se(2)](2+) containing μ(4)-Se sites. Reaction of these species with HSe(-) affords the P(N)-type cores [W(2)Fe(6)S(6)Se(3)](1+), in which selenide occupies μ(6)-Se and μ(2)-Se sites. The reaction of [(Tp*)WS(3)](1-), FeCl(2), and Na(2)Se yields the double-cuboidal [W(2)Fe(4)S(6)Se(3)](2+/0) core with μ(2)-Se and μ(4)-Se bridges. It is highly probable that in analogous sulfide-only assembly systems, external and internal sulfide reactants occupy corresponding positions in the cluster products. The results further demonstrate the viability of template-assisted cluster synthesis inasmuch as the reduced (Tp*)WS(3) unit is present in all of the clusters. Structures, zero-field Mössbauer data, and redox potentials are presented for each cluster type.

Specific incorporation of chalcogenide bridge atoms in molybdenum/tungsten-iron-sulfur single cubane clusters

An extensive series of heterometal-iron-sulfur single cubane-type clusters with core oxidation levels [MFe(3)S(3)Q](3+,2+) (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se) has been prepared by means of a new method of cluster self-assembly. The procedure utilizes the assembly system [((t)Bu(3)tach)M(VI)S(3)]/FeCl(2)/Na(2)Q/NaSR in acetonitrile/THF and affords product clusters in 30-50% yield. The trisulfido precursor acts as a template, binding Fe(II) under reducing conditions and supplying the MS(3) unit of the product. The system leads to specific incorporation of a μ(3)-chalcogenide from an external source (Na(2)Q) and affords the products [((t)Bu(3)tach)MFe(3)S(3)QL(3)](0/1-) (L = Cl(-), RS(-)), among which are the first MFe(3)S(3)Se clusters prepared. Some 16 clusters have been prepared, 13 of which have been characterized by X-ray structure determinations including the incomplete cubane [((t)Bu(3)tach)MoFe(2)S(3)Cl(2)(μ(2)-SPh)], a possible trapped intermediate in the assembly process. Comparisons of structural and electronic features of clusters differing only in atom Q at one cubane vertex are provided. In comparative pairs of complexes differing only in Q, placement of one selenide atom in the core increases core volumes by about 2% over the Q = S case, sets the order Q = Se > S in Fe-Q bond lengths and Q = S > Se in Fe-Q-Fe bond angles, causes small positive shifts in redox potentials, and has an essentially nil effect on (57)Fe isomer shifts. Iron mean oxidation states and charge distributions are assigned to most clusters from isomer shifts. ((t)Bu(3)tach = 1,3,5-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane).

The [MoFe3S4]2+ oxidation state: synthesis, substitution reactions, and structures of phosphine-ligated cubane-type clusters with the S=2 ground state

The cluster [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))(3)](1+) containing the cubane-type [MoFe(3)(μ(3)-S)(4)](2+) reduced core undergoes facile ligand substitution reactions at the iron sites leading to an extensive set of mono- and disubstituted species [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))(3-n)L(n)](1-n) with L = halide, N(3)(-), PhS(-), PhSe(-), R(3)SiO(-), and R(3)SiS(-) and n = 1 and 2. Structures of 10 members of the set are reported. For two representative clusters, Curie behavior at 2-20 K indicates a spin-quintet ground state. Zero-field Mössbauer spectra consist of two doublets in a 2:1 intensity ratio. (57)Fe isomer shifts are consistent with the mean oxidation state Fe(3)(2.33+) arising from electron delocalization of the mixed-valence oxidation state description [Mo(3+)Fe(3+)Fe(2+)(2)]. Reaction of [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))(2)Cl] with (Me(3)Si)(2)S affords [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))(2)(SSiMe(3))], a likely first intermediate in the formation of the tricluster compound {[(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt)(2)](3)S}(BPh(4)) from the reaction of [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))(3)](BPh(4)) and NaSSiMe(3) in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The tricluster consists of three cluster units bound to a central μ(3)-S atom in a species of overall C(3) symmetry. Relatively few clusters in the [MoFe(3)S(4)](2+) oxidation state have been prepared compared to the abundance of clusters in the oxidized [MoFe(3)S(4)](3+) state. This work is the first comprehensive study of the [MoFe(3)S(4)](2+) state, one conspicuous feature of which is its ability to bind hard and soft σ-donors and strong to weak π-acid ligands. (Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate(1-)).

Biosynthesis of Nitrogenase FeMoco

Biosynthesis of nitrogenase FeMoco is a highly complex process that requires, minimally, the participation of nifS, nifU, nifB, nifE, nifN, nifV, nifH, nifD and nifK gene products. Previous genetic analyses have identified the essential factors for the assembly of FeMoco; however, the exact functions of these factors and the precise sequence of events during the assembly process had remained unclear until recently, when a number of the biosynthetic intermediates of FeMoco were identified and characterized by combined biochemical, spectroscopic and structural analyses. This review gives a brief account of the recent progress toward understanding the assembly process of FeMoco, which has identified some important missing pieces of this biosynthetic puzzle.

Biomimetic chemistry of iron, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten in sulfur-ligated protein sites

Biomimetic inorganic chemistry has as its primary goal the synthesis of molecules that approach or achieve the structures, oxidation states, and electronic and reactivity features of native metal-containing sites of variant nuclearity. Comparison of properties of accurate analogues and these sites ideally provides insight into the influence of protein structure and environment on intrinsic properties as represented by the analogue. For polynuclear sites in particular, the goal provides a formidable challenge for, with the exception of iron-sulfur clusters, all such site structures have never been achieved and few have even been closely approximated by chemical synthesis. This account describes the current status of the synthetic analogue approach as applied to the mononuclear sites in certain molybdoenzymes and the polynuclear sites in hydrogenases, nitrogenase, and carbon monoxide dehydrogenases.

VFe3S4 single and double cubane clusters: synthesis, structures, and dependence of redox potentials and electron distribution on ligation and heterometal

Both vanadium and molybdenum cofactor clusters are found in nitrogenase. In biomimetic research, many fewer heterometal MFe3S4 cubane-type clusters have been synthesized with M = V than with M = Mo because of the well-established structural relationship of the latter to the molybdenum coordination unit in the enzyme. In this work, a series of single cubane and edge-bridged double cubane clusters containing the cores [VFe3(mu3-S)4]2+ and [V2Fe6(mu3-S)6(mu4-S)2]2+ have been prepared by ligand substitution of the phosphine clusters [(Tp)VFe3S4(PEt3)3]1+ and [(Tp)2V2Fe6S8(PEt3)4]. The single cubanes [(Tp)VFe3S4L3]2- and double cubanes [(Tp)2V2Fe6S8L4]4- (L= F-, N3-, CN-, PhS-) are shown by X-ray structures to have trigonal symmetry and centrosymmetry, respectively. Single cubanes form the three-member electron transfer series [(Tp)VFe3S4L3]3-,2-,1-. The ligand dependence of redox potentials and electron distribution in cluster cores as sensed by 57Fe isomer shifts (delta) have been determined. Comparison of these results with those previously determined for the analogous molybdenum clusters (Pesavento, Berlinguette, and Holm Inorg. Chem. 2007, 46, 510) allows detection of the influence of heterometal M on the properties. At constant M and variable L, redox potentials are lowest for pi-donor ligands and largest for cyanide and relate approximately with decreasing ferrous character in clusters with constant charge z = 2-. At constant L and z and variable M, EV > E(Mo) and delta(av)V < delta(av)Mo, demonstrating that M = Mo clusters are more readily oxidized and suggesting a qualitative relation between lower potentials (greater ease of oxidation) and ferrous character.

Assembly of nitrogenase MoFe protein

Assembly of nitrogenase MoFe protein is arguably one of the most complex processes in the field of bioinorganic chemistry, requiring, at least, the participation of nifS, nifU, nifB, nifE, nifN, nifV, nifQ, nifZ, nifH, nifD, and nifK gene products. Previous genetic studies have identified factors involved in MoFe protein assembly; however, the exact functions of these factors and the precise sequence of events during the process have remained unclear until the recent characterization of a number of assembly-related intermediates that provided significant insights into this biosynthetic "black box". This review summarizes the recent advances in elucidation of the mechanism of FeMoco biosynthesis in four aspects: (1) the ex situ assembly of FeMoco on NifEN, (2) the incorporation of FeMoco into MoFe protein, (3) the in situ assembly of P-cluster on MoFe protein, and (4) the stepwise assembly of MoFe protein.

Enhancement in electronic communication upon replacement of Mo-O by Mo-S bonds in tetranuclear clusters of the type [Mo2]2(mu-E-E)2 (E = O or S)

A tetranuclear cluster containing two quadruply bonded cis-Mo2(DAniF)2 units (DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate) linked by four hydroxide groups (1) was obtained by hydrolysis of [Mo2(cis-DAniF)2](mu-OCH3)4. Analogous compounds linked by two bidentate bridges (o-O2C6H4 for 2, o-O2C10H6 for 3, and o-S2C6H4 for 4) were synthesized by direct assembly of the corner species precursor [Mo2(cis-DAniF)2(NCCH3)4](BF4)2 and the respective protonated ligands. All four compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammograms of the O-linked compound 2 and the S analogue 4 show two reversible one-electron-oxidation processes with potential separations (DeltaE(1/2)) of 474 and 776 mV, respectively. The large increase of about 300 mV in DeltaE(1/2) for the S analogue relative to that of the O compound is consistent with a large increase in electronic communication. This enhancement occurs despite the increase of ca. 0.45 A in nonbonding separation between the midpoints of the Mo2 units, which changes from 3.266 A in 2 to 3.72 A in 4, and the increase of ca. 0.4 A in M-E distances as E changes from O to S. Density functional theory calculations show that the increase in electronic communication between the metal centers in 4 is due to a superexchange pathway involving d and p orbitals in the linker E atoms that is less important in 2.

Hydroxide-promoted core conversions of molybdenum-iron-sulfur edge-bridged double cubanes: oxygen-ligated topological PN clusters

The occurrence of a heteroatom X (C, N, or O) in the MoFe7S9X core of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase has encouraged synthetic attempts to prepare high-nuclearity M-Fe-S-X clusters containing such atoms. We have previously shown that reaction of the edge-bridged double cubane [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S8(PEt3)4] (1) with nucleophiles HQ- affords the clusters [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S8Q(QH)2](3-) (Q = S, Se) in which HQ- is a terminal ligand and Q(2-) is a mu2-bridging atom in the core. Reactions with OH- used as such or oxygen nucleophiles generated in acetonitrile from (Bu3Sn)2O or Me3SnOH and fluoride were examined. Reaction of 1 with Et4NOH in acetonitrile/water generates [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(OH)2]3- (3), isolated as [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(OH)(OC(=NH)Me)(H2O)](3-) and shown to have the [Mo2Fe6(mu2-S)2(mu3-S)6(mu6-S)] core topology very similar to the P(N) cluster of nitrogenase. The reaction system 1/Et4NOH in acetonitrile/methanol yields the P(N)-type cluster [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(OMe)2(H2O)](3-) (5). The system 1/Me3SnOH/F- affords the oxo-bridged double P(N)-type cluster {[(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(mu2-O)]2}5- (7), convertible to the oxidized cluster {[(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(mu2-O)]2}4- (6), which is prepared independently from [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9F2(H2O)](3-)/(Bu3Sn)2O. In the preparations of 3-5 and 7, hydroxide liberates sulfide from 1 leading to the formation of P(N)-type clusters. Unlike reactions with HQ-, no oxygen atoms are integrated into the core structures of the products. However, the half-dimer composition [Mo2Fe6S9O] relates to the MoFe7S9 constitution of the putative native cluster with X = O. (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl) borate(1-)).

Edge-bridged Mo2Fe6S8 to pN-type Mo2Fe6S9 cluster conversion: structural fate of the attacking sulfide/selenide nucleophile

Reaction of the edge-bridged double cubane cluster [(Tp)(2)M(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PEt(3))(4)] (1; Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate(1-)) with hydrosulfide affords the clusters [(Tp)(2)M(2)Fe(6)S(9)(SH)(2)](3)(-)(,4)(-) (M = Mo (2), V), which have been established as the first structural (topological) analogues of the P(N) cluster of nitrogenase. The synthetic reaction is an example of core conversion, resulting in the transformation M(2)Fe(6)(mu(3)-S)(6)(mu(4)-S)(2) (C(i)) --> M(2)Fe(6)(mu(2)-S)(2)(mu(3)-S)(6)(mu(6)-S) (C(2)(v)), the reaction pathway of which is unknown. The most prominent structural feature of P(N)-type clusters is the mu(6)-S atom, which bridges six iron atoms in two MFe(3)S(3) cuboidal halves of the cluster. The initial issue in core conversion is the origin of the mu(6)-S atom. Utilizing SeH(-) as a surrogate reactant for SH(-) in the system 1/SeH(-)/L(-) in acetonitrile, a series of selenide clusters [(Tp)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)SeL(2)](3)(-) (L(-) = SH(-) (4), SeH(-) (5), EtS(-) (6), CN(-) (7)) was prepared. The electrospray mass spectra of 4 and 6 revealed inclusion of one Se atom in each cluster, and (1)H NMR spectra and crystallographic refinements of 4-7 indicated that this atom was disordered over the two mu(2)-S/Se positions. The clusters {[(Tp)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(9)](mu(2)-S)}(2)(5)(-) (8) and {[(Tp)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)Se](mu(2)-Se)}(2)(5)(-) (9) were prepared from 2 and 5, respectively, and shown to be isostructural. They consist of two P(N)-type cluster units bridged by two mu(2)-S or mu(2)-Se atoms. It is concluded that, in the preparation of 2, the probable structural fate of the attacking nucleophile is as a mu(2)-S atom, and that the mu(3)-S and mu(6)-S atoms of the product cluster derive from precursor cluster 1. Cluster fragmentation during P(N)-type cluster synthesis is unlikely.

P-cluster maturation on nitrogenase MoFe protein

Biosynthesis of nitrogenase P-cluster has attracted considerable attention because it is biologically important and chemically unprecedented. Previous studies suggest that P-cluster is formed from a precursor consisting of paired [4Fe-4S]-like clusters and that P-cluster is assembled stepwise on MoFe protein, i.e., one cluster is assembled before the other. Here, we specifically tackle the assembly of the second P-cluster by combined biochemical and spectroscopic approaches. By using a P-cluster maturation assay that is based on purified components, we show that the maturation of the second P-cluster requires the concerted action of NifZ, Fe protein, and MgATP and that the action of NifZ is required before that of Fe protein/MgATP, suggesting that NifZ may act as a chaperone that facilitates the subsequent action of Fe protein/MgATP. Furthermore, we provide spectroscopic evidence that the [4Fe-4S] cluster-like fragments can be converted to P-clusters, thereby firmly establishing the physiological relevance of the previously identified P-cluster precursor.

Stabilization of reduced molybdenum-iron-sulfur single- and double-cubane clusters by cyanide ligation

Recent work has shown that cyanide ligation increases the redox potentials of Fe(4)S(4) clusters, enabling the isolation of [Fe(4)S(4)(CN)4]4-, the first synthetic Fe(4)S(4) cluster obtained in the all-ferrous oxidation state (Scott, T. A.; Berlinguette, C. P.; Holm, R. H.; Zhou, H.-C. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2005, 102, 9741). The generality of reduced cluster stabilization has been examined with MoFe(3)S(4) clusters. Reaction of single-cubane [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(PEt(3))3]1+ and edge-bridged double-cubane [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PEt(3))4] with cyanide in acetonitrile affords [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(CN)3]2- (2) and [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(CN)4]4- (5), respectively. Reduction of 2 with KC(14)H(10) yields [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(CN)3]3- (3). Clusters were isolated in approximately 70-90% yields as Et(4)N+ or Bu(4)N+ salts; clusters 3 and 5 contain all-ferrous cores, and 3 is the first [MoFe(3)S(4)]1+ cluster isolated in substance. The structures of 2 and 3 are very similar; the volume of the reduced cluster core is slightly larger (2.5%), a usual effect upon reduction of cubane-type Fe(4)S(4) and MFe(3)S(4) clusters. Redox potentials and 57Fe isomer shifts of [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)L3]2-,3- and [(Tp)2Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)L(4)]4-,3- clusters with L = CN-, PhS-, halide, and PEt3 are compared. Clusters with pi-donor ligands (L = halide, PhS) exhibit larger isomer shifts and lower (more negative) redox potentials, while pi-acceptor ligands (L = CN, PEt3) induce smaller isomer shifts and higher (less-negative) redox potentials. When the potentials of 3/2 and [(Tp)MoFe(3)S(4)(SPh)3]3-/2- are compared, cyanide stabilizes 3 by 270 mV versus the reduced thiolate cluster, commensurate with the 310 mV stabilization of [Fe(4)S(4)(CN)4]4- versus [Fe(4)S(4)(SPh)4]4- where four ligands differ. These results demonstrate the efficacy of cyanide stabilization of lower cluster oxidation states. (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate(1-)).

Sulfur ligand substitution at the nickel(II) sites of cubane-type and cubanoid NiFe3S4 clusters relevant to the C-clusters of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase

Substitution reactions at the nickel site of the cubane-type cluster [(Ph3P)NiFe3S4(LS3)]2- (2) have been investigated in the course of a synthetic approach to the C-clusters of CODH. Reaction of 2 with RS- or toluene-3,4-dithiolate affords [(RS)NiFe3S4(LS3)]3- (R = Et (5), H (6)) or [(tdt)NiFe3S4(LS3)]3- (7), demonstrating that anionic sulfur ligands can be bound at the NiII site. Clusters 5 and 6 contain tetrahedral Ni(micro3-S)3(SR) sites. Cluster 7 is of particular interest because it includes a cubanoid NiFe3(micro2-S)(micro3-S)3 core and an approximately planar Ni(tdt)(micro3-S)2 unit. The cubanoid structure is found in all C-clusters, and an NiS4-type unit has been reported in C. hydrogenoformans CODH. Clusters 5/6 are formulated to contain the core [NiFe3S4]1+ identical with Ni2+ (S = 1) + [Fe3S4]1- (S = 5/2) and 7 the core [NiFe3S4]2+ identical with Ni2+ (S = 0) + [Fe3S4]0 (S = 2) on the basis of structure, 57Fe isomer shifts, and 1H NMR isotropic shifts. Also reported are [(EtS)CuFe3S4(LS3)]3- (9) and [Fe4S4(LS3)(tdt)]3- (11). The structures of 5-7, 9, and 11 are presented. Cluster 11, with a five-coordinate Fe(tdt)(micro3-S)3 site, provides a clear structural contrast with 7, which is currently the closest approach to a C-cluster but lacks the exo iron atom found in the NiFe4S4,5 cores of the native clusters. (CODH = carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, LS3 = 1,3,5-tris((4,6-dimethyl-3-mercaptophenyl)thio)-2,4,6-tris(p-tolylthio)benzene(3-), tdt = toluene-3,4-dithiolate).

Quantitative geometric descriptions of the belt iron atoms of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase and synthetic iron(II) model complexes

Six of the seven iron atoms in the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase display an unusual geometry, which is distorted from the tetrahedral geometry that is most common in iron-sulfur clusters. This distortion pulls the iron along one C3 axis of the tetrahedron toward a trigonal pyramid. The trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry is rare in four-coordinate transition metal complexes. In order to document this geometry in a systematic fashion in iron(II) chemistry, we have synthesized a range of four-coordinate iron(II) complexes that vary from tetrahedral to trigonal pyramidal. Continuous shape measures are used for a quantitative comparison of the stereochemistry of the Fe atoms in the iron-molybdenum cofactor with those of the presently and previously reported model complexes, as well as with those in polynuclear iron-sulfur compounds. This understanding of the iron coordination geometry is expected to assist in the design of synthetic analogues for intermediates in the nitrogenase catalytic cycle.