Chirality and Isomerism in Binuclear Iron Complexes with Sulfur Ligands: [Fe(CO)(μ‐“S4”)]2, a Model Complex for Oxidoreductases

Abstract

Metal atoms at the active centers of oxidoreductases must be chirotopic. In the course of a search for model complexes for nitrogenases and hydrogenases, a new type of chiral complex was discovered, represented by the complex 1. It was obtained by coupling two homochiral [Fe(CO)(“S4”)] fragments, and it contains Fe centers that are capable of binding σ-π ligands. This complex may thus be regarded as one segment of a metalloprotein structure. (“S4”)2⊖ = 2,2′-(ethylenedithio)dibenzene thiolate.