ePrints

Large structural changes upon protonation of Fe₄S₄ clusters: the consequences for reactivity

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Richard Henderson

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Density functional calculations reveal that protonation of a mu(3)-S in [Fe4S4X4](2-) clusters (X = halide, thiolate, phenoxide) results in the breaking of one S-Fe bond (to >3 angstrom, from 2.3 angstrom). This creates a doubly-bridging SH ligand (mu(3)-SH is not stable), and a unique three-coordinated planar Fe atom. The under-coordination of this unique Fe atom is the basis of revised mechanisms for the acid-catalysed ligand substitution reactions in which substitution of X by PhS occurs at the unique Fe site by an indirect pathway involving initial displacement of X by acetonitrile (solvent), followed by displacement of coordinated acetonitrile by PhSH. When X = Cl or Br the rate of attack by PhSH is slower than the dissociation of X-, and is the rate-determining step; in contrast, when X = SEt, SBut or OPh the rate of dissociation of XH is slower than attack by PhSH and is rate-determining for these clusters. A full and consistent interpretation of all kinetic data is presented including new explanations of many of the kinetic observations on the acid-catalysed substitution reactions of [Fe4S4X4](2-) clusters. The proposed mechanisms are supported by density functional calculations of the structures of intermediates, and simulations of some of the steps. These findings are expected to have widespread ramifications for the reaction chemistry of both natural and synthetic clusters with the (Fe4S4) core.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Dance I, Henderson RA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Dalton Transactions

Year: 2014

Volume: 43

Pages: 16213-16226

Print publication date: 21/11/2014

Online publication date: 30/07/2014

Acceptance date: 16/07/2014

ISSN (print): 1477-9226

ISSN (electronic): 1477-9234

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c4dt01687d

DOI: 10.1039/c4dt01687d

Altmetrics

Share