Rieske cofactors
have a [2Fe–2S] cluster with unique {His2Cys2} ligation and distinct Fe subsites. The histidine
ligands are functionally relevant, since they allow for coupling of
electron and proton transfer (PCET) during quinol oxidation in respiratory
and photosynthetic ET chains. Here we present the highest fidelity
synthetic analogue for the Rieske [2Fe–2S] cluster reported
so far. This synthetic analogue 5x– emulates the heteroleptic {His2Cys2} ligation of the [2Fe–2S] core, and it also serves
as a functional model that undergoes fast concerted proton and electron
transfer (CPET) upon reaction of the mixed-valent (ferrous/ferric)
protonated 5H2– with TEMPO. The thermodynamics
of the PCET square scheme for 5x– have been determined, and three species (diferric 52–, protonated diferric 5H–, and mixed-valent 53–) have been characterized by X-ray diffraction. pKa values for 5H– and 5H2– differ by about 4 units, and the reduction
potential of 5H– is shifted anodically
by about +230 mV compared to that of 52–. While the N–H bond dissociation free energy of 5H2– (60.2 ± 0.5 kcal mol–1) and the free energy, ΔG°CPET, of its reaction with TEMPO (−6.3 kcal mol–1) are similar to values recently reported for a homoleptic {N2/N2}-coordinated [2Fe–2S] cluster, CPET
is significantly faster for 5H2– with
biomimetic {N2/S2} ligation (k = (9.5 ± 1.2) × 104 M–1 s–1, ΔH‡ = 8.7
± 1.0 kJ mol–1, ΔS‡ = −120 ± 40 J mol–1 K–1, and ΔG‡ = 43.8 ± 0.3 kJ mol–1 at 293 K). These parameters,
and the comparison with homoleptic analogues, provide important information
and new perspectives for the mechanistic understanding of the biological
Rieske cofactor.