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Title: Facile hydrogen atom abstraction and sulfide formation in a methyl-thiolate capped iron–sulfur–carbonyl cluster
The interest in methyl group C–H bond activation near or bound to iron-containing clusters is of key biological importance, due to the broad relevance of radical SAM reactions. Specifically, such processes are implicated in the biogenesis of the interstitial carbide found in the nitrogenase FeMoco active site. In this work, we find that the diamagnetic, methyl-thiolate capped iron–carbonyl cluster anion [(CH 3 S)Fe 3 (CO) 9 ] − (1) undergoes facile C–H hydrogen atom abstraction upon treatment with TEMPO. The process leads to (i) eradication of the CH 3 moiety, (ii) formation of a sulfide bridge, and (iii) cluster dimerization—thereby generating the ‘dimer of trimers’ cluster [K(benzo-15-crown-5) 2 ] 2 [(SFe 2 (CO) 12 ) 2 Fe(CO) 2 ] (2). In contrast, the corresponding isopropyl variant [Fe 3 (S i Pr)(CO) 9 ] − (3) does not react with TEMPO . Mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of TEMPOH, as well as CO oxidation vis a vis CO 2 and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. GC-MS measurements of the headspace reveal that the ultimate fate of the methyl carbon is likely incorporation into multiple products—one of which may be a volatile low mass hydrocarbon—rather than carbon/carbide incorporation.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1808311
NSF-PAR ID:
10165126
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Dalton Transactions
Volume:
49
Issue:
1
ISSN:
1477-9226
Page Range / eLocation ID:
23 to 26
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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    The one‐step syntheses, X‐ray structures, and spectroscopic characterization of synthetic iron clusters, bearing either inorganic sulfides or thiolate with interstitial carbide motifs, are reported. Treatment of iron carbide carbonyl clusters [Fenn‐C)(CO)m]x(n=5,6;m=15,16;x=0,−2) with electrophilic sulfur sources (S2Cl2, S8) results in the formation of several μ4‐S dimers of clusters, and moreover, iron‐sulfide‐(sulfocarbide) clusters. The core sulfocarbide unit {C−S}4−serves as a structural model for a proposed intermediate in the radicalS‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine biogenesis of the M‐cluster. Furthermore, the electrophilic sulfur strategy has been extended to provide the first ever thiolato‐iron‐carbide complex: an analogous reaction with toluylsulfenyl chloride affords the cluster [Fe55‐C)(SC7H7)(CO)13]. The strategy described herein provides a breakthrough towards developing syntheses of biomimetic iron‐sulfur‐carbide clusters like FeMoco.

     
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  2. Abstract

    The one‐step syntheses, X‐ray structures, and spectroscopic characterization of synthetic iron clusters, bearing either inorganic sulfides or thiolate with interstitial carbide motifs, are reported. Treatment of iron carbide carbonyl clusters [Fenn‐C)(CO)m]x(n=5,6;m=15,16;x=0,−2) with electrophilic sulfur sources (S2Cl2, S8) results in the formation of several μ4‐S dimers of clusters, and moreover, iron‐sulfide‐(sulfocarbide) clusters. The core sulfocarbide unit {C−S}4−serves as a structural model for a proposed intermediate in the radicalS‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine biogenesis of the M‐cluster. Furthermore, the electrophilic sulfur strategy has been extended to provide the first ever thiolato‐iron‐carbide complex: an analogous reaction with toluylsulfenyl chloride affords the cluster [Fe55‐C)(SC7H7)(CO)13]. The strategy described herein provides a breakthrough towards developing syntheses of biomimetic iron‐sulfur‐carbide clusters like FeMoco.

     
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