Synthesis of the P-Cluster Inorganic Core of Nitrogenases

J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125 (14), 4052 -4053, 2003. 10.1021/ja029383m S0002-7863(02)09383-6
Web Release Date: March 15, 2003

Synthesis of the P-Cluster Inorganic Core of Nitrogenases

Yasuhiro Ohki, Yusuke Sunada, Masaru Honda, Motomi Katada, and Kazuyuki Tatsumi*

Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Research Center for Materials Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan, and Radioisotope Research Center and Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan

i45100a@nucc.cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Received November 18, 2002

Abstract:

The [8Fe-7S] core of the P-clusters in nitrogenases is unique among the known [Fe-S] clusters which are essential to electron-transfer processes in nature. The [8Fe-7S] cluster has been thought unstable and to exist only in protein environments. We found that this unusual [8Fe-7S] structure can be self-assembled from the reaction of Fe(II) bis-amide, tetramethylthiourea, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenethiol, and elemental sulfur in a specific mole ratio. The structure of the complex isolated therefrom closely resembles that of the reduced form (P^N) of the P-clusters, while the 6Fe(II)2Fe(III) oxidation state was manifested by the Mössbauer study.

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