Three new biomimetic photocatalyts based on [2Fe2S]-Hases model compound, namely {(mu-pdte) [Fe(CO)(3)][Fe(CO)(2)L], mu-pdte = mu(2)-S(CH2)(2)CH[(CH2)(3)COOCH3]S-mu(2), L = CO(1), L = PPh3(2)}, (mu-pdte) [Fe(CO)(3)] [Fe(CO) (phen)] (3), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy and particularly X-ray crystallography crystal structure analysis for 1. Visible-light-driven H-2 evolution catalyzed by 1-3 in the presence of EY2- as PS, and TEA as electron donor, the maximum H-2 yield of 136.2 mu mol(17 TON vs. catalyst 2) is detected at pH 11 with 2 of 4 x 10(-4) M, EY2- of 4 x 10(-4) M, TEA of 10% (v:v) in CH3CN/H2O (v:v,1:1) after 4.5 h irradiation. After that, the effect of the substituent species of catalyst on H-2 evolution, the stability of photo-catalytic system and the probable H-2 evolution mechanism are also carefully discussed by CV, fluorescence quenching, fluorescence lifetime et al. The result illustrates 2 has been found to be a potential catalyst for conversion of solar energy to clean hydrogen energy under visible light-driven despite that the H-2 evolution activity is not high enough in this stage. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.