Functional Hydride Transfer by a Thiolate-Containing Model of Mono-Iron Hydrogenase featuring an Anthracene Scaffold.

We report the synthesis, X-ray structure and functional biomimetic activity of a model complex of mono-iron hydrogenase (Hmd). To achieve the desired biomimetic fac-CNS(thiolate) ligation motif, an anthracene framework is used to provide the requisite donors in a single chelate. A bulky aryl thiolate (ortho dimethylphenyl) is included to achieve mononuclearity. In addition to exhibiting structural (X-ray) and spectroscopic (NMR, IR) similarity to the enzyme, the complex is competent for H2 activation (heterolysis) and hydride transfer to a model substrate-mimicking the functional behavior of the enzyme in a biomimetic CNS coordination sphere for the first time.