NiFe hydrogenases are unique enzymes that catalyze the H+/H2 interconversion with remarkable efficiency. The determination of the tridimensional structure of their active site (a sulfur-rich dinuclear nickel-iron cluster with diatomic cyanide and carbonyl ligands) has stimulated the synthesis of a variety of nickel-based complexes as potential electrocatalysts for hydrogen production. These catalysts may provide an adequate alternative to platinum. This paper gives an historical perspective of this biomimetic structural approach and then focusses on recently reported bio-inspired functional mimics displaying electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen production.

The structural mimic of the active site of NiFe hydrogenases, [Ni(xbsms)FeCp(CO)](BF(4)), is an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution from trifluoroacetic acid in DMF.

International audienceThe dinuclear nickel–manganese complex [Ni(xbsms)Mn(CO)3(H2O)]+ (H2xbsms = 1,2-bis(4-mercapto-3,3-dimethyl-2-thiabutyl)benzene) is reported as a bio-inspired mimic of the active site of NiFe hydrogenases catalyzing hydrogen evolution from trifluoroacetic acid in DMF with an overpotential requirement of 860 mV. This is higher than that displayed by Ni–Ru systems [Canaguier et al., Chem.–Eur. J., 2009, 15, 9350–9364] but similar to that found for related noble metal free Ni–Fe mimics [Canaguier et al., Chem. Commun. 2010, 46, 5876–5878]. A combined electrochemical and theoretical (DFT) study suggests a heterolytic mechanism for hydrogen evolution from a hydride derivative. The structure of the active intermediate, with a bridging hydride ligand between Ni and Mn, resembles that of the Ni–C active state of NiFe hydrogenases

The new dinuclear nickel-ruthenium complexes [Ni(xbsms)RuCp(L)][PF(6)] (H(2)xbsms = 1,2-bis(4-mercapto-3,3-dimethyl-2-thiabutyl)benzene; Cp(-) = cyclopentadienyl; L = DMSO, CO, PPh(3), and PCy(3)) are reported and are bioinspired mimics of NiFe hydrogenases. These compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques and display novel structural motifs. Interestingly, [Ni(xbsms)RuCpCO][PF(6)] is stereochemically nonrigid in solution and an isomerization mechanism was derived with the help of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Because of an increased electron density on the metal centers [Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 18, 2613-2626] with respect to the previously described [Ni(xbsms)Ru(CO)(2)Cl(2)] and [Ni(xbsms)Ru(p-cymene)Cl](+) complexes, [Ni(xbsms)RuCp(dmso)][PF(6)] catalyzes hydrogen evolution from Et(3)NH(+) in DMF with an overpotential reduced by 180 mV and thus represents the most efficient NiFe hydrogenase functional mimic. DFT calculations were carried out with several methods to investigate the catalytic cycle and, coupled with electrochemical measurements, allowed a mechanism to be proposed. A terminal or bridging hydride derivative was identified as the active intermediate, with the structure of the bridging form similar to that of the Ni-C active state of NiFe hydrogenases.

DFT modeling has been used to investigate a previously proposed mechanism of proton reduction catalyzed by [Ni(xbsms)Ru(CO)(2)Cl(2)] (H(2)xbsms = 1,2-bis(4-mercapto-3,3-dimethyl-2-thiabutyl)benzene), a bio-inspired mimic of NiFe hydrogenases based on a Ni-Ru framework. Protonation of the 2e(-)-reduced compound, from which a chloride anion has been eliminated, results in the formation of a semi-bridging hydride derivative with structural features comparable to those of the Ni-C state catalytic intermediate of native hydrogenases. The present study thus provides structural and functional insights into the enzymatic mechanism including the possible involvement of a bridging hydride derivative and heterolytic formation of a dihydrogen molecule on a {Ni(mu-S)(2)M} framework.

A combined electrochemical and theoretical study suggests that hydrogen evolution from weak acids catalyzed by a structural mimic of the active site of NiFe hydrogenases [Ni(xbsms)Ru(C6Me6)Cl](+) proceeds through proton-coupled electron transfer steps.

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Three dinuclear nickel–ruthenium complexes [Ni(xbsms)RuCp*(L)](PF6) [H2xbsms = 1,2‐bis(4‐mercapto‐3,3‐dimethyl‐2‐thiabutyl)benzene; Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; L = CH3CN, CO and O2] are reported that act as bio‐inspired mimics of NiFe hydrogenases. Because of an increased electron density at the metal centres in comparison with the previously described [Ni(xbsms)RuCp(L)](PF6) (Cp = cyclopentadienyl) analogues, these compounds catalyze the evolution of hydrogen from Et3NH+ in DMF with an overpotential reduced by around 50 mV, thereby corroborating a previously established structure–function relationship [Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2007, 18, 2613–2626; Chem. Eur. J. 2009, 15, 9350–9364]. In addition, the steric protection provided by the bulky Cp*– ligand results in an increased catalytic rate and stability upon cycling.