Triazole-Containing [FeFe] Hydrogenase Mimics: Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Behavior

Through a Cu-catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition between terminal alkynes and azides (CuAAC) reaction, azide [(μ-SCH₂)₂N(4-N₃C₆H₄)Fe₂(CO)₆] has demonstrated to be a robust and versatile reagent able to incorporate the [(μ-SR)₂Fe₂(CO)₆] fragment on a wide range of substrates, ranging from aromatic compounds to nucleosides, metallocenes, or redox and luminescent markers. The [Fe^IFe^I]/[Fe⁰Fe^I] and [Fe⁰Fe^I]/[Fe⁰Fe⁰] reduction potentials of the triazole derivatives prepared are comparable to those of other aminodithiolate (adt) Fe-Fe hydrogenase mimics. The presence of the triazole linker influences the electrochemical behavior of these complexes depending on the strength of the acid employed.