Supramolecular self-assembly of a [2Fe2S] complex with a hydrophilic phosphine ligand

Abstract

A diiron complex [{(µ-SCH₂)₂CH₂}{Fe₂(CO)₅P(CH₂OH)₃}] was prepared as a biomimic of the [2Fe2S] subunit in the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenases, which appears as a supramolecular self-assembly in the solid state with O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming two-dimensional arrays with alternately right- and left-handed helical O–H⋯O–H chains.