Reversible carbonylation of [2Fe2S] model complexes with pendant quinoline or pyridine arms

Three [2Fe2S] model complexes with pendant quinoline and pyridine ligation to the iron center have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The reversible carbonylation of these complexes suggests that the pendant quinoline and pyridine groups are semi-labile ligands that can mimic the labile site in the [FeFe]-hydrogenase subcluster.