Iron(I)-carbonyl clusters tethered to (trifluoromethyl)thiophenolates

Two diironhexacarbonyl clusters containing (trifluoromethyl)thiophenolates, as models for the active site of [Fe–Fe] hydrogenase enzyme, have been prepared and characterized. The crystal and electronic structures of the complexes have been probed by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammetric studies in the presence of acetic acid show that both compounds catalyze the electrochemical reduction of acetic acid to produce hydrogen with favorable overpotentials.