Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Hydrogenase Enzyme Models

Abstract

Hydrogenase enzymes are nature’s solution to using molecular hydrogen as an energy source. While the air-sensitivity of these biological catalysts make them impractical for industrial hydrogen generation, synthetic mimics show promise in acting as effective substitutes. Hydrogenase model compounds also enable detailed investigation of the ultrafast dynamics and chemical reaction mechanisms using ultrafast infrared spectroscopy. This chapter reviews the progress in applying ultrafast transient infrared absorption and multidimensional spectroscopy to a range of small molecule hydrogenase model compounds, as well as several macromolecular and larger constructs. The rich vibrational structure and straightforward chemical modularity of these diiron compounds represent an exciting class of molecules that are, at the same time, excellent model systems for fundamental chemical dynamics, and practical molecular catalytic components with direct application to next-generation hydrogen-based energy strategies.