Influence of the [2Fe]H subcluster environment on the properties of key intermediates in the catalytic cycle of [FeFe] hydrogenases: hints for the rational design of synthetic catalysts.

Nature's recipe: A theoretical study analyzes how the environment of the [FeFe] hydrogenase's catalytic cofactor affects its chemical properties, particularly the relative stability of complexes with bridging and terminal hydride ligands (see picture; Fe teal, S yellow, C green, N blue, O red, H gray). The results help to elucidate key rules for the design of bioinspired synthetic catalysts for H(2) production.