Hydrogenase Active Site Models Research Articles

Performant automatic differentiation of local coupled cluster theories: Response properties and ab initio molecular dynamics

In this work, we introduce a differentiable implementation of the local natural orbital coupled cluster (LNO-CC) method within the automatic differentiation framework of the PySCFAD package. The implementation is comprehensively tuned for enhanced performance, which enables the calculation of first-order static response properties on medium-sized molecular systems using coupled cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)]. We evaluate the accuracy of our method by benchmarking it against the canonical CCSD(T) reference for nuclear gradients, dipole moments, and geometry optimizations. In addition, we demonstrate the possibility of property calculations for chemically interesting systems through the computation of bond orders and Mössbauer spectroscopy parameters for a [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site model, along with the simulation of infrared spectra via ab initio LNO-CC molecular dynamics for a protonated water hexamer.

Hydroxyl-Decorated Diiron Complex as a [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Active Site Model Complex: Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity and Heterogenization on Ethylene-Bridged Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica

A biomimetic model complex of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site (FeFeOH) with an ethylene bridge and a pendant hydroxyl group has been synthesized, characterized and evaluated as catalyst for the light-driven hydrogen production. The interaction of the hydroxyl group present in the complex with 3-isocyanopropyltriethoxysilane provided a carbamate triethoxysilane bearing a diiron dithiolate complex (NCOFeFe), thus becoming a potentially promising candidate for anchoring on heterogeneous supports. As a proof of concept, the NCOFeFe precursor was anchored by a grafting procedure into a periodic mesoporous organosilica with ethane bridges (EthanePMO@NCOFeFe). Both molecular and heterogenized complexes were tested as catalysts for light-driven hydrogen generation in aqueous solutions. The photocatalytic conditions were optimized for the homogenous complex by varying the reaction time, pH, amount of the catalyst or photosensitizer, photon flux, and the type of light source (light-emitting diode (LED) and Xe lamp). It was shown that the molecular FeFeOH diiron complex achieved a decent turnover number (TON) of 70 after 6 h, while NCOFeFe and EthanePMO@NCOFeFe had slightly lower activities showing TONs of 37 and 5 at 6 h, respectively.

Dynamic Flexibility of Hydrogenase Active Site Models Studied with 2D-IR Spectroscopy.

Hydrogenase enzymes enable organisms to use H2 as an energy source, having evolved extremely efficient biological catalysts for the reversible oxidation of molecular hydrogen. Small-molecule mimics of these enzymes provide both simplified models of the catalysis reactions and potential artificial catalysts that might be used to facilitate a hydrogen economy. We have studied two diiron hydrogenase mimics, μ-pdt-[Fe(CO)3]2 and μ-edt-[Fe(CO)3]2 (pdt = propanedithiolate, edt = ethanedithiolate), in a series of alkane solvents and have observed significant ultrafast spectral dynamics using two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopy. Since solvent fluctuations in nonpolar alkanes do not lead to substantial electrostatic modulations in a solute's vibrational mode frequencies, we attribute the spectral diffusion dynamics to intramolecular flexibility. The intramolecular origin is supported by the absence of any measurable solvent viscosity dependence, indicating that the frequency fluctuations are not coupled to the solvent motional dynamics. Quantum chemical calculations reveal a pronounced coupling between the low-frequency torsional rotation of the carbonyl ligands and the terminal CO stretching vibrations. The flexibility of the CO ligands has been proposed to play a central role in the catalytic reaction mechanism, and our results highlight that the CO ligands are highly flexible on a picosecond time scale.

FeFe] Hydrogenase active site model chemistry in a UiO-66 metal-organic framework.

The reactivity of [Fe2(dcbdt)(CO)6] (1) confined in a UiO-66(Zr) metal-organic framework towards CO ligand substitutions with phosphines of different sizes was investigated. The reaction with smaller phosphines (PX3, X = Me, Et) is more selective compared to analogous reactions in homogenous solution phase, and two CO ligands at up to 80% of all [FeFe] sites in UiO-66-1 are replaced. The produced [Fe2(dcbdt)(CO)4(PX3)2] complexes in the UiO-66 matrix behave like typical [FeFe] hydrogenase active site model complexes, are reduced at more cathodic potentials than their hexacarbonyl analogues, and form bridging hydrides under acidic conditions.

Photoactive Metal-Organic Framework and Its Film for Light-Driven Hydrogen Production and Carbon Dioxide Reduction.

The design of a new photocatalytic system and integrating the essential components in a structurally controlled manner to create artificially photosynthetic systems is high desirable. By incorporating a photoactive triphenylamine moiety to assemble a Gd-based metal-organic framework as a heterogeneous photosensitizer, new artificial systems were constructed for the proton and carbon dioxide reduction under irradiation. The assembled MOFs exhibited a one-dimensional metal-oxygen pillar that was connected together by the depronated TCA(3-) ligands to form a three-dimensional noninterpenetrating porous framework. The combining of proton reduction and/or the carbon dioxide reduction catalysts, i.e., the Fe-Fe hydrogenase active site models and the Ni(Cyclam) complexes, initiated a photoinduced single electron transfer from its excited state to the substrate. The system exhibited an initial TOF of 320 h(-1) of hydrogen per catalyst and an overall quantum yield of about 0.21% and is able to reduce carbon dioxide under irradiation. The deposit of the photoactive Gd-TCA into the film of an α-Al2O3 plate provided a platform for the practical applications through prolonging the lifetime of the artifical system and allowed the easily operated devices being recyclable as a promising photocatalytic system.

Micropatterns of [Fe-Fe]-Hydrogenase Active-Site Model Complexes Fabricated by Electro-Oxidative Lithography.

[Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase active site model complexes ([Fe(CO)3]2[(μ-SCH2)2C(CH2OH)2]) were immobilized on micropatterned n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) monolayers deposited on a Si substrate to form a microscale catalytic system. The micropatterns were generated by electro-oxidative lithography performed with a conductive TEM grid. The [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase active-site complex molecules were selectively anchored in lithographic line areas with good coverage. Additionally, the biomimetic metal centers of the hydrogenase active-site complex molecules still maintained their catalytic activity and their redox-active properties after the immobilization process, which was proven by cyclic voltammetry.

Effect of Bridgehead Steric Bulk on the Intramolecular C-H Heterolysis of [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Active Site Models Containing a P2N2 Pendant Amine Ligand.

A series of pendant amine-containing [FeFe]-hydrogenase models, [X(CH2S-μ)2{Fe(CO)3}{Fe(CO)(P2(Ph)N2(Bn))}] (1H, X = CH2; 2Me, C(CH3)2; 3Et, C(CH2CH3)2; and P2(Ph)N2(Bn) = 1,5-dibenzyl-3,7-diphenyl-1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane) with different groups at the bridgehead carbon of the S-to-S linker were synthesized. The oxidations of these complexes as well as the reverse reduction reaction were studied by cyclic voltammetry and in situ IR spectroscopy. Regardless of the bridgehead steric bulk, all three complexes demonstrate intramolecular iron-mediated C(sp(3))-H bond heterolytic cleavage with the assistance of the pendant amine base within the chelating diphosphine ligand in the two-electron oxidation process. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the doubly oxidized products, [1'H](+), [2'Me](+), and [3'Et](+), all have a rigid FeSC three-membered ring at the open apical site of the rotated iron center. The most noticeable difference in structures of the oxidized complexes is that the single CO ligand of the rotated Fe(P2(Ph)N2(Bn))(CO) unit in [1'H](+) and [2'Me](+) is found below the Fe···Fe vector, while in [3'Et](+) an unusually rotated Fe(P2(Ph)N2(Bn))(CO) moiety positions one of the P donors within the bidentate ligand under the Fe···Fe vector. The starting Fe(I)Fe(I) complexes can be recovered from their corresponding doubly oxidized complexes by reduction in the presence of Brönsted acid.

Effect of H2 binding on the nonadiabatic transition probability between singlet and triplet states of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site.

We investigate the effect of H2 binding on the spin-forbidden nonadiabatic transition probability between the lowest energy singlet and triplet electronic states of [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site model, using a velocity averaged Landau-Zener theory. Density functional and multireference perturbation theories were used to provide parameters for the Landau-Zener calculations. It was found that variation of the torsion angle between the terminal thiolate ligands around the Ni center induces an intersystem crossing between the lowest energy singlet and triplet electronic states in the bare active site and in the active site with bound H2. Potential energy curves between the singlet and triplet minima along the torsion angle and H2 binding energies to the two spin states were calculated. Upon H2 binding to the active site, there is a decrease in the torsion angle at the minimum energy crossing point between the singlet and triplet states. The probability of nonadiabatic transitions at temperatures between 270 and 370 K ranges from 35% to 32% for the active site with bound H2 and from 42% to 38% for the bare active site, thus indicating the importance of spin-forbidden nonadiabatic pathways for H2 binding on the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site.

Nitrogen heterocyclic carbene containing pentacoordinate iron dicarbonyl as a [Fe]-hydrogenase active site model.

A novel pentacoordinate mono iron dicarbonyl complex bearing a nitrogen heterocyclic carbene ligand was reported as a model of a [Fe]-hydrogenase active site, which exhibits interesting proton coupled CO binding reactivity, electro-catalytic proton reduction and catalytic transfer hydrogenation reactivity.

Borane-protected cyanides as surrogates of H-bonded cyanides in [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site models.

Triarylborane Lewis acids bind [Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(CN)2](2-) [1](2-) (pdt(2-) = 1,3-propanedithiolate) and [Fe2(adt)(CO)4(CN)2](2-) [3](2-) (adt(2-) = 1,3-azadithiolate, HN(CH2S(-))2) to give the 2:1 adducts [Fe2(xdt)(CO)4(CNBAr3)2](2-). Attempts to prepare the 1:1 adducts [1(BAr3)](2-) (Ar = Ph, C6F5) were unsuccessful, but related 1:1 adducts were obtained using the bulky borane B(C6F4-o-C6F5)3 (BAr(F)*3). By virtue of the N-protection by the borane, salts of [Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(CNBAr3)2](2-) sustain protonation to give hydrides that are stable (in contrast to [H1](-)). The hydrides [H1(BAr3)2](-) are 2.5-5 pKa units more acidic than the parent [H1](-). The adducts [1(BAr3)2](2-) oxidize quasi-reversibly around -0.3 V versus Fc(0/+) in contrast to ca. -0.8 V observed for the [1](2-/-) couple. A simplified synthesis of [1](2-), [3](2-), and [Fe2(pdt)(CO)5(CN)](-) ([2](-)) was developed, entailing reaction of the diiron hexacarbonyl complexes with KCN in MeCN.

Electrocatalytic O₂ reduction by [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase active site models.

The instability of [Fe-Fe]-hydrogenase and its synthetic models under aerobic conditions is an inherent challenge in their development as practical H2 producing electrodes. The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction of a series of synthetic model complexes of the [Fe-Fe] hydrogenase is investigated, and a dominant role of the bridgehead nitrogen in reducing the amount of partially reduced oxygen species (PROS), which is detrimental to the stability of these complexes, is discovered.

Conformational Mobility and Pendent Base Effects on Electrochemistry of Synthetic Analogues of the [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Active Site

Dynamic NMR (13C and 1H) studies of (μ-SCH2XCH2S)[Fe(CO)3]2 complexes (X = CR2, NR) were utilized to examine the fluxional processes that are important in the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site models, where an open site for proton/hydrogen binding, achieved by configurational mobility of the Fe(CO)3 unit, is required for electrocatalysis of proton reduction. In order to interrogate the effects of fluxional mobility on electrochemical response to added acid, energy barriers for the CO site exchange in Fe(CO)3 rotors were determined for nitrogen- and carbon-based bridgehead complexes. The effect of the methyl substituent in both the NH/NCH3 and CH2/C(CH3)2 cases is to lower the Fe(CO)3 rotational activation barrier relative to the NH or CH2 analogues. Although the C(CH3)2 case has the lowest Fe(CO)3 rotational barrier, its performance as a proton reduction electrocatalyst is 2-fold less than that for the X = NR species, indicating the proton-directing effect of the pendent base on catalytic efficiency.

Death and Rebirth: Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production by a Self-Organizing Copper–Iron System

This study provides detailed mechanistic insights into light-driven hydrogen production using an abundant copper–iron system. It focuses on the role of the heteroleptic copper photosensitizer [Cu(P∧P)(N∧N)]+, which can be oxidized or reduced after photoexcitation. By means of IR, EPR, and UV/vis spectroscopy as well as computational studies and spectroelectrochemistry, the possibility of both mechanisms was confirmed. UV/vis spectroscopy revealed the reorganization of the original heteroleptic photosensitizer during catalysis toward a homoleptic [Cu(N∧N)2]+ species. Operando FTIR spectroscopy showed the formation of a catalytic diiron intermediate, which resembles well-known hydrogenase active site models.

Hydrogen Activation by Biomimetic [NiFe]-Hydrogenase Model Containing Protected Cyanide Cofactors

Described are experiments demonstrating incorporation of cyanide cofactors and hydride substrate into [NiFe]-hydrogenase (H2ase) active site models. Complexes of the type (CO)2(CN)2Fe(pdt)Ni(dxpe) (dxpe = dppe, 1; dxpe = dcpe, 2) bind the Lewis acid B(C6F5)3 (BAr(F)3) to give the adducts (CO)2(CNBAr(F)3)2Fe(pdt)Ni(dxpe), (1(BAr(F)3)2, 2(BAr(F)3)2). Upon decarbonylation using amine oxides, these adducts react with H2 to give hydrido derivatives [(CO)(CNBAr(F)3)2Fe(H)(pdt)Ni(dxpe)](-) (dxpe = dppe, [H3(BAr(F)3)2](-); dxpe = dcpe, [H4(BAr(F)3)2](-)). Crystallographic analysis shows that Et4N[H3(BAr(F)3)2] generally resembles the active site of the enzyme in the reduced, hydride-containing states (Ni-C/R). The Fe-H···Ni center is unsymmetrical with r(Fe-H) = 1.51(3) Å and r(Ni-H) = 1.71(3) Å. Both crystallographic and (19)F NMR analyses show that the CNBAr(F)3(-) ligands occupy basal and apical sites. Unlike cationic Ni-Fe hydrides, [H3(BAr(F)3)2](-) and [H4(BAr(F)3)2](-) oxidize at mild potentials, near the Fc(+/0) couple. Electrochemical measurements indicate that in the presence of base, [H3(BAr(F)3)2](-) catalyzes the oxidation of H2. NMR evidence indicates dihydrogen bonding between these anionic hydrides and R3NH(+) salts, which is relevant to the mechanism of hydrogenogenesis. In the case of Et4N[H3(BAr(F)3)2], strong acids such as HCl induce H2 release to give the chloride Et4N[(CO)(CNBAr(F)3)2Fe(Cl)(pdt)Ni(dppe)].

Kinetic Modeling of Hydrogen Conversion at [Fe] Hydrogenase Active-Site Models

By means of density functional theory, we investigate the catalytic cycle of active-site model complexes of [Fe] hydrogenase and study how ligand substitutions in the first coordination sphere of the reactive Fe center affect the free-energy surface of the whole reaction pathway. Interestingly, dispersion interactions between the active site and the hydride acceptor MPT render the hydride transfer step less endergonic and lower its barrier. Substitution of CO by CN(-), which resembles [FeFe] hydrogenase-like coordination, inverts the elementary steps H(-) transfer and H2 cleavage. A simplified kinetic model reveals the specifics of the interplay between active-site composition and catalysis. Apparently, the catalytic efficiency of [Fe] hydrogenase can be attributed to a flat energy profile throughout the catalytic cycle. Intermediates that are too stable, as they occur, e.g., when one CO ligand is substituted by CN(-), significantly slow down the turnover rate of the enzyme. The catalytic activity of the wild-type form of the active-site model could, however, be enhanced by a PH3 ligand substitution of the CO ligand.

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.

Bridging-hydride influence on the electronic structure of an [FeFe] hydrogenase active-site model complex revealed by XAES-DFT

Two crystallized [FeFe] hydrogenase model complexes, 1 = (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2)(PMe(3))](2) (pdt = SC1H2C2H2C3H2S), and their bridging-hydride (Hy) derivative, [1Hy](+) = [(μ-H)(μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)(2) (PMe(3))](2)](+) (BF(4)(−)), were studied by Fe K-edge X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy, supported by density functional theory. Structural changes in [1Hy](+) compared to 1 involved small bond elongations (<0.03 Å) and more octahedral Fe geometries; the Fe–H bond at Fe1 (closer to pdt-C2) was ~0.03 Å longer than that at Fe2. Analyses of (1) pre-edge absorption spectra (core-to-valence transitions), (2) Kβ(1,3), Kβ', and Kβ(2,5) emission spectra (valence-to-core transitions), and (3) resonant inelastic X-ray scattering data (valence-to-valence transitions) for resonant and non-resonant excitation and respective spectral simulations indicated the following: (1) the mean Fe oxidation state was similar in both complexes, due to electron density transfer from the ligands to Hy in [1Hy](+). Fe 1s→3d transitions remained at similar energies whereas delocalization of carbonyl AOs onto Fe and significant Hy-contributions to MOs caused an ~0.7 eV up-shift of Fe1s→(CO)s,p transitions in [1Hy](+). Fed-levels were delocalized over Fe1 and Fe2 and degeneracies biased to O(h)–Fe1 and C(4v)–Fe2 states for 1, but to O(h)–Fe1,2 states for [1Hy](+). (2) Electron-pairing of formal Fe(d(7)) ions in low-spin states in both complexes and a higher effective spin count for [1Hy](+) were suggested by comparison with iron reference compounds. Electronic decays from Fe d and ligand s,p MOs and spectral contributions from Hys,p→1s transitions even revealed limited site-selectivity for detection of Fe1 or Fe2 in [1Hy](+). The HOMO/LUMO energy gap for 1 was estimated as 3.0 ± 0.5 eV. (3) For [1Hy](+) compared to 1, increased Fed (x(2) − y(2)) − (z(2)) energy differences (~0.5 eV to ~0.9 eV) and Fed→d transition energies (~2.9 eV to ~3.7 eV) were assigned. These results reveal the specific impact of Hy-binding on the electronic structure of diiron compounds and provide guidelines for a directed search of hydride species in hydrogenases.

Site-Selective X-ray Spectroscopy on an Asymmetric Model Complex of the [FeFe] Hydrogenase Active Site

The active site for hydrogen production in [FeFe] hydrogenase comprises a diiron unit. Bioinorganic chemistry has modeled important features of this center, aiming at mechanistic understanding and the development of novel catalysts. However, new assays are required for analyzing the effects of ligand variations at the metal ions. By high-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy with narrow-band X-ray emission detection (XAS/XES = XAES) and density functional theory (DFT), we studied an asymmetrically coordinated [FeFe] model complex, [(CO)(3)Fe(I)1-(bdtCl(2))-Fe(I)2(CO)(Ph(2)P-CH(2)-NCH(3)-CH(2)-PPh(2))] (1, bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate), in comparison to iron-carbonyl references. Kβ emission spectra (Kβ(1,3), Kβ') revealed the absence of unpaired spins and the low-spin character for both Fe ions in 1. In a series of low-spin iron compounds, the Kβ(1,3) energy did not reflect the formal iron oxidation state, but it decreases with increasing ligand field strength due to shorter iron-ligand bonds, following the spectrochemical series. The intensity of the valence-to-core transitions (Kβ(2,5)) decreases for increasing Fe-ligand bond length, certain emission peaks allow counting of Fe-CO bonds, and even molecular orbitals (MOs) located on the metal-bridging bdt group of 1 contribute to the spectra. As deduced from 3d → 1s emission and 1s → 3d absorption spectra and supported by DFT, the HOMO-LUMO gap of 1 is about 2.8 eV. Kβ-detected XANES spectra in agreement with DFT revealed considerable electronic asymmetry in 1; the energies and occupancies of Fe-d dominated MOs resemble a square-pyramidal Fe(0) for Fe1 and an octahedral Fe(II) for Fe2. EXAFS spectra for various Kβ emission energies showed considerable site-selectivity; approximate structural parameters similar to the crystal structure could be determined for the two individual iron atoms of 1 in powder samples. These results suggest that metal site- and spin-selective XAES on [FeFe] hydrogenase protein and active site models may provide a powerful tool to study intermediates under reaction conditions.

Mixed-valence [FeIFeII] hydrogenase active site model complexes stabilized by a bidentate carborane bis-phosphine ligand

A series of [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site analogues, with the general formula [Fe(2)(dt)(CO)(4)(BC)] 1-3 (dt = dithiolate, pdt = propyl-1,3-dt (1), bdt = benzene-1,2-dt (2), edt = ethyl-1,2-dt (3); BC = 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphine-1,2-o-carborane), has been prepared and structurally characterized. While the electrochemical reductions of 1-3 are largely invariant to the different nature of their dt bridges, the oxidations differ by more than 120 mV in between the series. Remarkably, all three compounds are reversibly oxidized, with complex 1 that contains the most electron-donating pdt ligand at the mildest potential of -0.09 V vs. Fc/Fc(+). The one-electron oxidized state 1(ox) is stable for several minutes and was spectroscopically characterized by FTIR and EPR. EPR spectroscopy provided evidence that in the mixed-valence [Fe(I)Fe(II)] state most of the spin density is located on the iron with the BC-ligand. This is monitored through the strong (31)P hyperfine coupling of the phenyl groups of the BC ligand, while further delocalization into the o-carborane unit is negligible.

Ligand rearrangement and oxidation during preparation of diiron hydrogenase active site models [( μ-SCH 2) 2NCH 2CO 2Me]Fe 2(CO) 5(Ph 2PNHPy-4) and [( μ-SCH 2) 2NCH 2CO 2Me]Fe 2(CO) 5[Ph 2PP(O)Ph 2

Reaction of [( μ-SCH 2) 2NCH 2CO 2Me]Fe 2(CO) 6 with 4-PyN(PPh 2) 2 (Py = C 5H 4N) in the presence of the decarbonylating agent Me 3NO·2H 2O afforded unexpected complexes [( μ-SCH 2) 2NCH 2CO 2Me]Fe 2(CO) 5(Ph 2PNHPy-4) ( 1) and [( μ-SCH 2) 2NCH 2CO 2Me]Fe 2(CO) 5[Ph 2PP(O)Ph 2] ( 2) in 40% and 14% yields, respectively. The new complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 1H ( 31P, 13C) NMR spectroscopic techniques. In addition, their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, indicating that the monophosphine ligands in complexes 1 and 2 both reside in an axial position of the square-pyramidal coordination sphere of the Fe atoms.