Heterobimetallic Models of the [NiFe] Hydrogenases: A Structural and Spectroscopic Comparison

Abstract

Hydrogen has emerged as a leading alternative fuel; however, efficient chemical methods for generating hydrogen from water are lacking. Thus, chemists have turned to nature for inspiration. The [NiFe] hydrogenases possess rich structural, spectroscopic, and functional properties, motivating extensive synthetic efforts to model the complex active sites. In this comment, the geometric and electronic structures of the [NiFe] hydrogenases are compared to model compounds that most closely reproduce features of the native enzyme. The implications of this comparison and opportunities for advancing the catalytic activity of model compounds are discussed.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• biomimetic
• metal hydrides
• FTIR spectroscopy
• EPR spectroscopy
• redox chemistry

FUNDING

This research received financial support from the NSF Division of Chemistry Grant CHE-1454289.

Additional information

Funding

This research received financial support from the NSF Division of Chemistry Grant CHE-1454289.