Ulf-Peter Apfel

Models for the Active Site in [FeFe] Hydrogenase with Iron-Bound Ligands Derived from Bis-, Tris-, and Tetrakis(mercaptomethyl)silanes

A series of multifunctional (mercaptomethyl)silanes of the general formula type R(n)Si(CH(2)SH)(4-n) (n = 0-2; R = organyl) was synthesized, starting from the corresponding (chloromethyl)silanes. They were used as multidentate ligands for the conversion of dodecacarbonyltriiron, Fe(3)(CO)(12), into iron carbonyl complexes in which the deprotonated (mercaptomethyl)silanes act as μ-bridging ligands. These complexes can be regarded as models for the [FeFe] hydrogenase. They were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, S), NMR spectroscopic studies ((1)H, (13)C, (29)Si), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry to disclose a new mechanism for the formation of dihydrogen catalyzed by these compounds, whereby one sulfur atom was protonated in the catalytic cycle. The reaction of the tridentate ligand MeSi(CH(2)SH)(3) with Fe(3)(CO)(12) yielded a tetranuclear cluster compound. A detailed investigation by X-ray diffraction, electrochemical, Raman, Mössbauer, and susceptibility techniques indicates that for this compound initially [Fe(2){μ-MeSi(CH(2)S)(2)CH(2)SH}(CO)(6)] is formed. This dinuclear complex, however, is slowly transformed into the tetranuclear species [Fe(4){μ-MeSi(CH(2)S)(3)}(2)(CO)(8)].

[FeFe]-Hydrogenase with Chalcogenide Substitutions at the H-Cluster Maintains Full H2 Evolution Activity.

The [FeFe]-hydrogenase HYDA1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is particularly amenable to biochemical and biophysical characterization because the H-cluster in the active site is the only inorganic cofactor present. Herein, we present the complete chemical incorporation of the H-cluster into the HYDA1-apoprotein scaffold and, furthermore, the successful replacement of sulfur in the native [4FeH ] cluster with selenium. The crystal structure of the reconstituted pre-mature HYDA1[4Fe4Se]H protein was determined, and a catalytically intact artificial H-cluster variant was generated upon in vitro maturation. Full hydrogen evolution activity as well as native-like composition and behavior of the redesigned enzyme were verified through kinetic assays, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray structure analysis. These findings reveal that even a bioinorganic active site with exceptional complexity can exhibit a surprising level of compositional plasticity.

Oxidation of Diiron and Triiron Sulfurdithiolato Complexes: Mimics for the Active Site of (FeFe)-Hydrogenase

The oxidation of the hexacarbonyl(1,3‐dithiolato‐S,S′)diiron complexes 4a–4c with varying amounts of dimethyldioxirane (DMD) was systematically studied. The chemoselectivity of the oxidation products depended upon the substituent R (R=H, Me, 1/2 (CH2)5). For R=H, four oxidation products, 6a–6d, have been obtained. In the case of R=Me, three products, 7a–7c, were formed, and for R=1/2 (CH2)5, only complex 8 was observed. These observations are due to steric and electronic effects caused by the substituent R. Additionally, oxidation of the triiron complex 5 with DMD was performed to yield the products 9a and 9b. X‐Ray diffraction analyses were performed for 6a–6d, 7a, and 7c, as well as for 9a and 9b. The electronic properties were determined by density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Accumulating the hydride state in the catalytic cycle of [FeFe]-hydrogenases

H2 turnover at the [FeFe]-hydrogenase cofactor (H-cluster) is assumed to follow a reversible heterolytic mechanism, first yielding a proton and a hydrido-species which again is double-oxidized to release another proton. Three of the four presumed catalytic intermediates (Hox, Hred/Hred and Hsred) were characterized, using various spectroscopic techniques. However, in catalytically active enzyme, the state containing the hydrido-species, which is eponymous for the proposed heterolytic mechanism, has yet only been speculated about. We use different strategies to trap and spectroscopically characterize this transient hydride state (Hhyd) for three wild-type [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Applying a novel set-up for real-time attenuated total-reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, we monitor compositional changes in the state-specific infrared signatures of [FeFe]-hydrogenases, varying buffer pH and gas composition. We selectively enrich the equilibrium concentration of Hhyd, applying Le Chatelier’s principle by simultaneously increasing substrate and product concentrations (H2/H+). Site-directed manipulation, targeting either the proton-transfer pathway or the adt ligand, significantly enhances Hhyd accumulation independent of pH.

Stepwise isotope editing of [FeFe]-hydrogenases exposes cofactor dynamics

Significance [FeFe]-hydrogenases are H2-forming enzymes with potential in renewable energy applications. Their molecular mechanism of catalysis needs to be understood. A protocol for specific 13CO isotope editing of all carbon monoxide ligands at the six-iron cofactor (H-cluster) was established. Analysis of vibrational modes via quantum chemical calculations implies structural dynamics at the H-cluster in the active-ready state. Site-selective introduction of isotopic reporter groups opens new perspectives to identify intermediates in the catalytic cycle. The six-iron cofactor of [FeFe]-hydrogenases (H-cluster) is the most efficient H2-forming catalyst in nature. It comprises a diiron active site with three carbon monoxide (CO) and two cyanide (CN−) ligands in the active oxidized state (Hox) and one additional CO ligand in the inhibited state (Hox-CO). The diatomic ligands are sensitive reporter groups for structural changes of the cofactor. Their vibrational dynamics were monitored by real-time attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Combination of 13CO gas exposure, blue or red light irradiation, and controlled hydration of three different [FeFe]-hydrogenase proteins produced 8 Hox and 16 Hox-CO species with all possible isotopic exchange patterns. Extensive density functional theory calculations revealed the vibrational mode couplings of the carbonyl ligands and uniquely assigned each infrared spectrum to a specific labeling pattern. For Hox-CO, agreement between experimental and calculated infrared frequencies improved by up to one order of magnitude for an apical CN− at the distal iron ion of the cofactor as opposed to an apical CO. For Hox, two equally probable isomers with partially rotated ligands were suggested. Interconversion between these structures implies dynamic ligand reorientation at the H-cluster. Our experimental protocol for site-selective 13CO isotope editing combined with computational species assignment opens new perspectives for characterization of functional intermediates in the catalytic cycle.

Investigation of amino acid containing [FeFe] hydrogenase models concerning pendant base effects

The present investigations deal with the modeling of the peptide surrounding of [FeFe] hydrogenase using amine containing disulphides to simulate possible influences of the amino acid lysine (K237) on the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of biomimetic compounds based on [Fe2S2] moieties. Fe(3)(CO)(12) was reacted with Boc-4-amino-1,2-dithiolane, Boc-Adt-OMe (Adt=4-amino-1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid, Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl) and Boc-Adp tert-butyl ester (Adp=(S)-2-amino-3-(1,2-dithiolan-4-yl)propionic acid) to elongate the Fecdots, three dots, centeredN distance in comparison to the well known [Fe(2){(SCH(2))(2)NR}(CO)(6)] model complexes. Efforts to deprotect the complexes containing Boc-4-amino-1,2-dithiolane with trifluoroacetic acid result in the formation of [Fe(3)(mu(3)-O)(mu-O(2)C(2)F(3))(6)(OC(4)H(8))(2)(H(2)O)]. The novel [2Fe2S] complexes are characterized using spectroscopic, electrochemical techniques and X-ray diffraction studies.

Bridging Hydride at Reduced H-Cluster Species in [FeFe]-Hydrogenases Revealed by Infrared Spectroscopy, Isotope Editing, and Quantum Chemistry

[FeFe]-Hydrogenases contain a H2-converting cofactor (H-cluster) in which a canonical [4Fe-4S] cluster is linked to a unique diiron site with three carbon monoxide (CO) and two cyanide (CN-) ligands (e.g., in the oxidized state, Hox). There has been much debate whether reduction and hydrogen binding may result in alternative rotamer structures of the diiron site in a single (Hred) or double (Hsred) reduced H-cluster species. We employed infrared spectro-electrochemistry and site-selective isotope editing to monitor the CO/CN- stretching vibrations in [FeFe]-hydrogenase HYDA1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Density functional theory calculations yielded vibrational modes of the diatomic ligands for conceivable H-cluster structures. Correlation analysis of experimental and computational IR spectra has facilitated an assignment of Hred and Hsred to structures with a bridging hydride at the diiron site. Pronounced ligand rotation during μH binding seems to exclude Hred and Hsred as catalytic intermediates. Only states with a conservative H-cluster geometry featuring a μCO ligand are likely involved in rapid H2 turnover.

Controlled Flexible Coordination in Tripodal Iron(II) Phosphane Complexes: Effects on Reactivity

The possibility to alter properties of metal complexes without significant steric changes is a useful tool to tailor the reactivity of the complexes. Herein we present the synthesis of iron complexes with the tripodal phosphane ligands Triphos and Triphos(Si) and report on their different coordination properties. Whereas reaction of Triphos(Si) and FeX2 (X = Cl, Br) exclusively afforded (Triphos(Si))FeX2 with a κ(2)-coordinated ligand, the homologous C-derived Fe complexes show rapid conversion in solution to afford [(Triphos)Fe(CH3CN)3][Fe2Cl6] or [(Triphos)Fe(CH3CN)3][FeBr4], respectively. The structural conversion was found to be temperature- and solvent-dependent and was accompanied by a linear change of the overall magnetization. The different ligand influence was shown to have a significant effect on the ability of (Triphos(Si))FeCl2 and (Triphos)FeCl2 to perform the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 4-iodotoluene and phenyl acetylene as well as the hydrosilylation of acetophenone. The results presented herein show the different coordination properties of two structurally homologous tripodal ligands and demonstrate the importance of geometrically controlled ligand field splitting on the stability and reactivity of metal complexes. The C/Si exchange therefore provides a simple and straightforward tool to manipulate properties and reactivity of metal complexes.

Reactions of 7,8-Dithiabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4-diene 7-exo-Oxide with Dodecacarbonyl Triiron Fe3(CO)12: A Novel Type of Sulfenato Thiolato Diiron Hexacarbonyl Complexes

The reaction of Fe(3)(CO)(12) (13) with 7,8-dithiabicyclo[4.2.1]nona-2,4-diene 7-exo-oxide (12) yields the sulfenato-thiolato complex 14, which is used as starting material for further reactions. The disulfenato complex 17 is obtained by using one equivalent of dimethyldioxirane (DMD), and the monoepoxide 18 is prepared by the oxidation of 14 with an excess of DMD. Complex 14 can be converted to the monophosphine complexes 19a and 19b by subsequent substitution of one CO ligand using trimethylaminoxide Me(3)NO and triphenylphosphine PPh(3). Additional substitution reactions are done with 17 by using acetonitrile as a ligand to form 20a and 20b. In the electrochemical part of the paper, the reactions of the reduced iron species 14, 15, 17, and 19a are studied.

Sunlight dependent hydrogen production by photosensitizer - hydrogenase systems

We report a sustainable in vitro system for enzyme-based photohydrogen production. The [FeFe]-hydrogenase HydA1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was tested for photohydrogen production as a proton-reducing catalyst in combination with eight different photosensitizers. Using the organic dye 5-carboxyeosin as a photosensitizer and plant-type ferredoxin PetF as an electron mediator, HydA1 achieves the highest light-driven turnover number (TONHydA1 ) yet reported for an enzyme-based in vitro system (2.9×106  mol(H2 ) mol(cat)-1 ) and a maximum turnover frequency (TOFHydA1 ) of 550 mol(H2 ) mol(HydA1)-1  s-1 . The system is fueled very effectively by ambient daylight and can be further simplified by using 5-carboxyeosin and HydA1 as a two-component photosensitizer/biocatalyst system without an additional redox mediator.