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| A tris(N-pyrrolidinyl)phosphine (P(NC4H8)3) monosubstituted complex, [(μ-pdt)Fe2(CO)5P(NC4H8)3], 2, was synthesized as a functional model of the hydrogen-producing capability of the iron hydrogenase active site. The structure was fully characterized by X-ray crystallography. IR and electrochemical studies have indicated that the (P(NC4H8)3) ligand has better electron-donating ability than that of those phosphine ligands, such as PMe3, PTA ( 1, 3, 5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), PMe2Ph PPh3, and P(OEt)3. The electrocatalytic activity of 2 was recorded in CH3CN in the absence and presence of weak acid, HOAc. The cathodic shift of potential at –1.98 V and the dependence of current on acid concentration have indicated that complex 2 can catalyze the reduction of protons to hydrogen at its Fe0FeI level in the presence of HOAc. |
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| Keywords:Bioinorganic chemistry, Fe-only hydrogenase, Phosphine ligand |
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