The employment of a hydrophilic tris(morpholino)phosphine ligand in diiron propane-1,3-dithiolate complexes for potentially water-soluble iron-only hydrogenase active-site mimics

A tris(morpholino)phosphine (TMP) ligand was introduced into the diiron dithiolate complexes in order to improve the hydro- and protophilicity of the iron-only hydrogenase active site models. Mono- and di-TMP substituted diiron complexes, (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)3][Fe(CO)2(TMP)] (2, pdt = 1,3-propanedithiolato) and (μ-pdt) [Fe(CO)2(TMP)]2 (3), were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. The coordination configuration of 3 was determined by single X-ray analysis. Temperature-dependent 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy studies provided insight into the interconversion of the irondithiacyclohexane ring and the rotation of the [Fe(CO)2PR3] moieties for 2 and 3 in solution. The electrochemical properties of 2 and 3 were investigated in pure CH3CN and CH3CN–H2O mixtures in the absence and presence of acetic acid. Hydrogen production and the dependence of current on acid concentration indicated that complexes 2 and 3 exhibited electrocatalytic activities for proton reduction in both pure and H2O-containing CH3CN solutions. The current sensitivities, i.e., electrocatalytic activities, were demonstrated to be greater in CH3CN–H2O mixtures than in pure CH3CN. The most effective electrocatalytic activities of 2 and 3 were observed with 10% added water.