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Inorganic chemistry 62(2), 769 - 781 (2023). doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c03278, Continued efforts are made on the development of earth-abundant metal catalysts for dehydrogenation/hydrolysis of amine boranes. In this study, complex [K-18-crown-6-ether][(NO)$_2$Fe(μ-$^{Me}$Pyr)(μ-CO)Fe(NO)$_2$] (3-K-crown, $^{Me}$Pyr = 3-methylpyrazolate) was explored as a pre-catalyst for the dehydrogenation of dimethylamine borane (DMAB). Upon evolution of H$_{2(g)}$ from DMAB triggered by 3-K-crown, parallel conversion of 3-K-crown into [(NO)$_2$Fe(N,N′-$^{Me}$PyrBH$_2$NMe$_2$)]− (5) and an iron-hydride intermediate [(NO)$_2$(CO)Fe(μ-H)Fe(CO)(NO)$_2$]$^−$ (A) was evidenced by X-ray diffraction/nuclear magnetic resonance/infrared/nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy experiments and supported by density functional theory calculations. Subsequent transformation of A into complex [(NO)$_2$Fe(μ-CO)$_2$Fe(NO)$_2$]$^−$ (6) is synchronized with the deactivated generation of H$_{2(g)}$. Through reaction of complex [Na-18-crown-6-ether][(NO)$_2$Fe(η$^2$-BH$_4$)] ($_4$-Na-crown) with CO(g) as an alternative synthetic route, isolated intermediate [Na-18-crown-6-ether][(NO)$_2$(CO)Fe(μ-H)Fe(CO)(NO)$_2$] (A-Na-crown) featuring catalytic reactivity toward dehydrogenation of DMAB supports a substrate-gated transformation of a pre-catalyst [(NO)$_2$Fe(μ-$^{Me}$Pyr)(μ-CO)Fe(NO)$_2$]$^−$ (3) into the iron-hydride species A as an intermediate during the generation of H$_{2(g)}$., Published by American Chemical Society, Washington, DC

Continued efforts are made on the development of earth-abundant metal catalysts for dehydrogenation/hydrolysis of amine boranes. In this study, complex [K-18-crown-6-ether][(NO)

Based on the low cost and relatively high catalytic activity, considerable efforts have been devoted towards developing redox active transition metal TM oxygen electrocatalysts for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction OER while the role of redox inactive alkaline earth metals has often been neglected in OER. Herein, for the first time, we developed a novel ternary intermetallic CaFe6Ge6 precatalyst, whose surface rapidly transforms into a porous ultrathin Ca amp; 8722;Fe amp; 8722;O heteroshell structure during alkaline OER through the oxidative leaching of surficial Ge. Benefiting from synergistic effects, this highly efficient OER active material with distinct Ca amp; 8722;Fe amp; 8722;O layers has a large electrochemical surface area and more exposed active Fe sites than a Ca free FeOx phase. Also, the presence of Ca in Ca amp; 8722;Fe amp; 8722;O is responsible for the enhanced transport and activation of hydroxyls and related OER reaction intermediate as unequivocally illustrated by a combination of quasi in situ Raman spectroscopy and various ex situ methods

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the value-added selective oxidation of renewable organic substrates are the most promising reactions to supply electrons and protons for the synthesis of sustainable fuels. To meet industrial requirements, new methods for a simple, fast, environmentally friendly, and cheap synthesis of robust, self-supported, high surface area electrodes are required. Herein, we report on a novel in liquid plasma electrolysis approach for the growth of hierarchical nanostructures on nickel foam. Under retention of the morphology, iron could be incorporated into this high surface area electrode. For the oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and benzyl alcohol, the iron free plasma treated electrode is more suitable reaching current densities up to 800 mA/cm² with Faradaic efficiencies above 95%. For the OER, the iron incorporated nickel foam electrode reached the industrially relevant current density of 500 mA/cm² at 1.473±0.013 VRHE (60 °C) and showed no activity decrease over 140 h. The different effects of the iron doping is rationalised using MeOH doping and in situ Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, we could separate changes in intrinsic activity per active site and number of active sites for the OER as well as reveal diffusion limitations of the organic oxidation reactions which we explain with respect to the surface morphology. We anticipate that the plasma modified high surface area nickel foam could potentially be applied for various electrocatalytic processes.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the most likely reaction to supply electrons and protons for future green fuel and chemical formation, and thus many materials have been studied for their suitability as OER (pre)catalysts. However, in-situ and post-catalytic studies have shown that the harsh OER conditions alter the electrode materials, causing a reconstruction to mainly transition metal oxyhydroxides in alkaline and near-neutral electrolyte. As this reconstructed phase is the real catalyst, its atomic structure and physical properties must be precisely known. These properties will be affected by the precatalyst and the reconstruction conditions, like the product of a chemical reaction is affected by the substrate and reaction conditions. For the elucidation of such reconstruction processes, a broad range of spectroscopic (in-situ) methods combined with new, meaningful precursors are required. Herein, investigations on the reconstruction of several precatalysts such as phosphites,1 borophosphates,2 selenites,3 silicides,4 and elemental metal foams are presented. These reconstructions were analysed by in situ Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy together with state-of-the-art post-mortem characterization techniques. In an effort to connect this data, we propose ideas relating the precatalyst structure with the one of the formed oxyhydroxides. Additionally, we critically debate the question: why should a non-oxyhydroxide phase be used for the OER if it will anyway reconstruct? Moreover, as mentioned, also the reconstruction conditions affect the specific nature of the formed oxyhydroxide. Considering this, we present a case, where from the same precatalyst, catalysts with entirely different structural and electrocatalytic properties were obtained by only changing the electrochemical reconstruction conditions (potential, pH, electrolyte composition...). References: Menezes, P. W. et al. A structurally versatile nickel phosphite acting as a robust bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting. Energy Environ. Sci. 11, 0–13 (2018). Menezes, P. W. et al. Helical cobalt borophosphates to master durable overall water-splitting. Energy Environ. Sci. 12, 988–999 (2019). Hausmann, J. N. et al. Understanding the formation of bulk- and surface-active layered (oxy)hydroxides for water oxidation starting from a cobalt selenite precursor. Energy Environ. Sci. 13, 3607–3619 (2020). Hausmann, J. N. et al. Evolving Highly Active Oxidic Iron(III) Phase from Corrosion of Intermetallic Iron Silicide to Master Efficient Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation and Selective Oxygenation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural. Adv. Mater. 33, 2008823 (2021). Figure 1

Hydrogenases are microbial redox enzymes that catalyze H2 oxidation and proton reduction (H2 evolution). While all hydrogenases show high oxidation activities, the majority of [FeFe]-hydrogenases are excellent H2 evolution catalysts as well. Their active site cofactor comprises a [4Fe-4S] cluster covalently linked to a diiron site equipped with carbon monoxide and cyanide ligands that facilitate catalysis at low overpotential. Distinct proton transfer pathways connect the active site niche with the solvent, resulting in a non-trivial dependence of hydrogen turnover and bulk pH. To analyze the catalytic mechanism of [FeFe]-hydrogenase, we employ in situ infrared spectroscopy and infrared spectro-electrochemistry. Titrating the pH under H2 oxidation or H2 evolution conditions reveals the influence of site-selective protonation on the equilibrium of reduced cofactor states. Governed by pKa differences across the active site niche and proton transfer pathways, we find that individual electrons are stabilized either at the [4Fe-4S] cluster (alkaline pH values) or at the diiron site (acidic pH values). This observation is discussed in the context of the natural pH dependence of hydrogen turnover as catalyzed by [FeFe]-hydrogenase.

The urgent need for a stable, efficient, and affordable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst has led to the investigation of a vast amount of transition metal materials with multiple different anions. In situ and post catalytic characterization shows that most materials transform during the harsh OER conditions to layered (oxy)hydroxides (LOH). Several open questions concerning these in situ formed LOH remain such as: an explanation for their strongly varying activities, or the effect of the precatalyst structure, leaching anions, and transformation conditions on the formed LOH. Herein, we report on a cobalt selenite precursor, which, depending on pH and potential, transforms irreversibly into two different LOH OER catalysts. Combining multiple electrochemical and analytical methods ex and in situ, we prove that one of these products is near-surface catalytically active and the other one throughout the bulk with an in situ average cobalt oxidation state of 3.2. We deduce a detailed structural model explaining these differences and propose general concepts relating both the precatalyst structure and the transformation conditions to the final catalyst. Further, we apply these models to the most promising non-noble metal catalyst, NiFe LOH.

In der Natur katalysieren [FeFe]-Hydrogenasen die Abgabe und Aufnahme von molekularem Wasserstoff (H2) an einem einzigartigen Eisen-Schwefel-Kofaktor. Das geringe elektrochemische Überpotential in der Wasserstoffabgabe-Reaktion macht die [FeFe]-Hydrogenasen zu einem hervorragenden Beispiel für effiziente Biokatalyse. Gegenwärtig sind die molekularen Details des Wasserstoffumsatzes jedoch noch nicht vollständig verstanden. Daher adressieren wir in dieser Untersuchung die initiale Reduktion des katalytischen Zentrums der [FeFe]-Hydrogenasen mittels Infrarotspektroskopie und Elektrochemie und zeigen, dass der reduzierte Zustand Hred′ durch protonengekoppelten Elektronentransport gebildet wird. Ladungskompensation bindet das überschüssige Elektron am [4Fe-4S]-Zentrum und führt zu einer Stabilisierung der konservativen Konfiguration des [FeFe]-Kofaktors. Die Rolle von Hred′ beim Wasserstoffumsatz und mögliche Auswirkungen auf den katalytischen Mechanismus werden diskutiert. Es liegt nahe, dass die Regulation elektronischer Eigenschaften in der Umgebung von metallischen Kofaktoren die Grundlage für Multielektronenprozesse bildet.

An unprecedented molecular 2Fe–2As precursor complex was synthesized and transformed under soft reaction conditions to produce an active and long-term stable nanocrystalline FeAs material for electrocatalytic water oxidation in alkaline media. The 2Fe2As-centred β-diketiminato complex, having an unusual planar Fe2As2 core structure, results from the salt-metathesis reaction of the corresponding β-diketiminato FeIICl complex and the AsCO− (arsaethynolate) anion as the monoanionic As− source. The as-prepared FeAs phase produced from the precursor has been electrophoretically deposited on conductive electrode substrates and shown to act as a electro(pre)catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The deposited FeAs undergoes corrosion under the severe anodic alkaline conditions which causes extensive dissolution of As into the electrolyte forming finally an active two-line ferrihydrite phase (Fe2O3(H2O)x). Importantly, the dissolved As in the electrolyte can be fully recaptured (electro-deposited) at the counter electrode making the complete process eco-conscious. The results represent a new and facile entry to unexplored nanostructured transition-metal arsenides and their utilization for high-performance OER electrocatalysis, which are also known to be magnificent high-temperature superconductors., A molecularly derived FeAs has been used as an electro(pre)catalyst for an efficient alkaline OER for the first time and subsequently, its active structure has been determined by quasi in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and ex situ methods.

Hydrogenases are microbial redox enzymes that catalyze H2 oxidation and proton reduction (H2 evolution). While all hydrogenases show high H2 oxidation activities, [FeFe]-hydrogenases are excellent H2 evolution catalysts as well. Their hydrogen-forming active site cofactor (“H-cluster”) comprises a [4Fe-4S] cluster covalently linked to a diiron site modified with CO and CN– ligands that tune the redox potential and anchor the cofactor within the protein. Two distinct proton transfer pathways connect the H-cluster and facilitate hydrogen turnover at low overpotential. In this study, we employ in situ ATR FTIR spectroscopy and spectro-electrochemistry to analyze the mechanics of hydrogen turnover in [FeFe]-hydrogenase. Titrating the proton concentration from pH 10 to pH 5 under H2 oxidation or H2 evolution conditions reveals the influence of site-selective protonation on the equilibrium of H-cluster redox states. Under H2 evolution conditions, protonation facilitates electron uptake at the [4Fe-4S] cluster and impedes premature reduction of the diiron site, the later which dominates at acidic pH values. This observation is discussed in the context of the natural pH dependence of H2 evolution as catalyzed by [FeFe]-hydrogenase.

Hydrogenases are metalloenzymes that catalyze H2 oxidation and H2 evolution. In particular, [FeFe]-hydrogenases have been shown to be excellent H2 evolution catalysts. Their active site cofactor comprises a [4Fe-4S] cluster covalently linked to a diiron site modified with CO and CN– ligands (H-cluster). Distinct proton transfer pathways connect the H-cluster on opposing sites facilitating hydrogen turnover at low overptential. In this study, we employ in situ ATR FTIR spectroscopy and spectro-electrochemistry to analyze H2 oxidation and H2 evolution of [FeFe]-hydrogenase at a wide range of proton concentrations. Our data reveals the influence of site-selective proton transfer on the equilibrium of redox states. Under reducing conditions, protonation facilitates electron uptake at the [4Fe-4S] cluster and impedes premature reduction of the diiron site, the later which dominates at acidic pH values. This observation is discussed in the context of the pH dependence of H2 evolution as catalyzed by [FeFe]-hydrogenase.

Hydrogenases are metalloenzymes that catalyze the conversion of protons and molecular hydrogen, H2. [FeFe]-hydrogenases show particularly high rates of hydrogen turnover and have inspired numerous compounds for biomimetic H2 production. Two decades of research on the active site cofactor of [FeFe]-hydrogenases have put forward multiple models of the catalytic proceedings. In comparison, our understanding of proton transfer is poor. Previously, residues were identified forming a hydrogen-bonding network between active site cofactor and bulk solvent; however, the exact mechanism of catalytic proton transfer remained inconclusive. Here, we employ in situ infrared difference spectroscopy on the [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii evaluating dynamic changes in the hydrogen-bonding network upon photoreduction. While proton transfer appears to be impaired in the oxidized state (Hox), the presented data support continuous proton transfer in the reduced state (Hred). Our analysis allows for a direct, molecular unique assignment to individual amino acid residues. We found that transient protonation changes of glutamic acid residue E141 and, most notably, arginine R148 facilitate bidirectional proton transfer in [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are efficient metalloenzymes that catalyze the oxidation and evolution of molecular hydrogen, H2. They serve as a blueprint for the design of synthetic H2-forming catalysts. [FeFe]-hydrogenases harbor a six-iron cofactor that comprises a [4Fe-4S] cluster and a unique diiron site with cyanide, carbonyl, and hydride ligands. To address the ligand dynamics in catalytic turnover and upon carbon monoxide (CO) inhibition, we replaced the native aminodithiolate group of the diiron site by synthetic dithiolates, inserted into wild-type and amino acid variants of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase HYDA1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The reactivity with H2 and CO was characterized using in situ and transient infrared spectroscopy, protein crystallography, quantum chemical calculations, and kinetic simulations. All cofactor variants adopted characteristic populations of reduced species in the presence of H2 and showed significant changes in CO inhibition and reactivation kinetics. Differences were attributed to varying interactions between polar ligands and the dithiolate head group and/or the environment of the cofactor (i.e., amino acid residues and water molecules). The presented results show how catalytically relevant intermediates are stabilized by inner-sphere hydrogen bonding suggesting that the role of the aminodithiolate group must not be restricted to proton transfer. These concepts may inspire the design of improved enzymes and biomimetic H2-forming catalysts.

[NiFe]-hydrogenases are gas-processing metalloenzymes that catalyze the conversion of dihydrogen (H2) to protons and electrons in a broad range of microorganisms. Within the framework of green chemistry, the molecular proceedings of biological hydrogen turnover inspired the design of novel catalytic compounds for H2 generation. The bidirectional &ldquo, O2-sensitive&rdquo, [NiFe]-hydrogenase from Escherichia coli HYD-2 has recently been crystallized, however, a systematic infrared characterization in the presence of natural reactants is not available yet. In this study, we analyze HYD-2 from E. coli by in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) under quantitative gas control. We provide an experimental assignment of all catalytically relevant redox intermediates alongside the O2- and CO-inhibited cofactor species. Furthermore, the reactivity and mutual competition between H2, O2, and CO was probed in real time, which lays the foundation for a comparison with other enzymes, e.g., &ldquo, O2-tolerant&rdquo, [NiFe]-hydrogenases. Surprisingly, only Ni-B was observed in the presence of O2 with no indications for the &ldquo, unready&rdquo, Ni-A state. The presented work proves the capabilities of in situ ATR FTIR spectroscopy as an efficient and powerful technique for the analysis of biological macromolecules and enzymatic small molecule catalysis.

[FeFe]-hydrogenases efficiently catalyzes hydrogen conversion at a unique [4Fe&ndash, 4S]-[FeFe] cofactor, the so-called H-cluster. The catalytic reaction occurs at the diiron site, while the [4Fe&ndash, 4S] cluster functions as a redox shuttle. In the oxidized resting state (Hox), the iron ions of the diiron site bind one cyanide (CN&minus, ) and carbon monoxide (CO) ligand each and a third carbonyl can be found in the Fe&ndash, Fe bridging position (&micro, CO). In the presence of exogenous CO, A fourth CO ligand binds at the diiron site to form the oxidized, CO-inhibited H-cluster (Hox-CO). We investigated the reduced, CO-inhibited H-cluster (Hred&acute, CO) in this work. The stretching vibrations of the diatomic ligands were monitored by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR). Density functional theory (DFT) at the TPSSh/TZVP level was employed to analyze the cofactor geometry, as well as the redox and protonation state of the H-cluster. Selective 13CO isotope editing, spectro-electrochemistry, and correlation analysis of IR data identified a one-electron reduced, protonated [4Fe&ndash, 4S] cluster and an apical CN&minus, ligand at the diiron site in Hred&acute, CO. The reduced, CO-inhibited H-cluster forms independently of the sequence of CO binding and cofactor reduction, which implies that the ligand rearrangement at the diiron site upon CO inhibition is independent of the redox and protonation state of the [4Fe&ndash, 4S] cluster. The relation of coordination dynamics to cofactor redox and protonation changes in hydrogen conversion catalysis and inhibition is discussed.

The [FeFe]-hydrogenases of bacteria and algae are the most efficient hydrogen conversion catalysts in nature. Their active-site cofactor (H-cluster) comprises a [4Fe-4S] cluster linked to a unique diiron site that binds three carbon monoxide (CO) and two cyanide (CN−) ligands. Understanding microbial hydrogen conversion requires elucidation of the interplay of proton and electron transfer events at the H-cluster. We performed real-time spectroscopy on [FeFe]-hydrogenase protein films under controlled variation of atmospheric gas composition, sample pH, and reductant concentration. Attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor shifts of the CO/CN− vibrational bands in response to redox and protonation changes. Three different [FeFe]-hydrogenases and several protein and cofactor variants were compared, including element and isotopic exchange studies. A protonated equivalent (HoxH) of the oxidized state (Hox) was found, which preferentially accumulated at acidic pH and under reducing conditions. We show that the one-electron reduced state Hred' represents an intrinsically protonated species. Interestingly, the formation of HoxH and Hred' was independent of the established proton pathway to the diiron site. Quantum chemical calculations of the respective CO/CN− infrared band patterns favored a cysteine ligand of the [4Fe-4S] cluster as the protonation site in HoxH and Hred'. We propose that proton-coupled electron transfer facilitates reduction of the [4Fe-4S] cluster and prevents premature formation of a hydride at the catalytic diiron site. Our findings imply that protonation events both at the [4Fe-4S] cluster and at the diiron site of the H-cluster are important in the hydrogen conversion reaction of [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

In nature, [FeFe]-hydrogenases catalyze the uptake and release of molecular hydrogen (H2 ) at a unique iron-sulfur cofactor. The absence of an electrochemical overpotential in the H2 release reaction makes [FeFe]-hydrogenases a prime example of efficient biocatalysis. However, the molecular details of hydrogen turnover are not yet fully understood. Herein, we characterize the initial one-electron reduction of [FeFe]-hydrogenases by infrared spectroscopy and electrochemistry and present evidence for proton-coupled electron transport during the formation of the reduced state Hred'. Charge compensation stabilizes the excess electron at the [4Fe-4S] cluster and maintains a conservative configuration of the diiron site. The role of Hred' in hydrogen turnover and possible implications on the catalytic mechanism are discussed. We propose that regulation of the electronic properties in the periphery of metal cofactors is key to orchestrating multielectron processes.