Functionalized Sugars as Ligands towards Water‐Soluble [Fe‐only] Hydrogenase Models

Abstract

Abstract Only a small number of water‐soluble iron carbonyl type model compounds for the active centre in [Fe‐only] hydrogenase are known, and these models are mainly prepared by substitution of one of the CO ligands. In this publication we present new water‐soluble models for [Fe‐only] hydrogenase that contain a peripherally bound sugar residue. Compounds were prepared in which the 1,3‐disulfanyl‐2‐propyltetra‐ O ‐acetyl‐β‐ D ‐glucopyranoside unit is coordinated to the iron carbonyl core through either a sulfur or a selenium bridgehead atom. Electrochemical results for both types of compounds reveal hydrogen gas evolution from acetic acid and water. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)