Cluster: Integrale Konzepte der Katalyse (Teilbereich A 5)

We are working on heterometallic compounds that can act as structural, functional and/or spectroscopic models for the active center of the [NiFe] hydrogenase, varying metals and also ligands. Our goal is to gain access to a model that positively tests for hydrogenase activity or even catalyses proton reduction. In the same context we are continuing to study nickel hydride chemistry that has provided valuable insights also with respect to the enzyme function in the past already. A further topic deals with the modelling of oxygenases: Investigations on the complexation of iron/copper to novel mono- and bi-chelating ligands (chiral and achiral) are carried out, and subsequently binding and activation of O2 for hydrocarbon oxygenation is studied. Moreover we are pursuing to extend the modelling activities to CO/CO2 chemistry, that is, to carbon monoxide dehydrogenase and acetyl-coenzyme A synthase mimicking.