10.1246/cl.2009.184
This study focuses on the synthesis of two binuclear nickel complexes, (Et4N)[Ni(mbpa)Ni(dtcEt)] (1) and [Ni(dadtEt)Ni(dtcMe)](BPh4) (2), as models of the active site of acetyl-CoA synthase (ACS). These complexes are designed to mimic the structure and function of the binuclear nickel site in cluster A of ACS, a key enzyme involved in CO2 fixation. The mbpa ligand in complex 1 and the dadtEt ligand in complex 2 were chosen because of their structural similarity to the natural ligands in cluster A. The diethyldithiocarbamate (dtcEt) and dimethyldithiocarbamate (dtcMe) ligands act as bridging ligands between the nickel centers. X-ray crystallography confirmed that both complexes exhibit a folded Ni2S2 tetragonal structure, similar to the ACS active site, but with slightly different geometries. The study also investigated the redox properties of these complexes and found that the reduction potential of the anionic complex 1 is significantly lower than that of the cationic complex 2, reflecting their different net charges.