Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.142, No.12, 5493-5497, 2020
Shedding Light on Proton and Electron Dynamics in [FeFe] Hydrogenases
[FeFe] hydrogenases are highly efficient catalysts for reversible dihydrogen evolution. H-2 turnover involves different catalytic intermediates including a recently characterized hydride state of the active site (H-cluster). Applying cryogenic infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to an [FeFe] model hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CrHydA1), we have discovered two new hydride intermediates and spectroscopic evidence for a bridging CO ligand in two reduced H-cluster states. Our study provides novel insights into these key intermediates, their relevance for the catalytic cycle of [FeFe] hydrogenase, and novel strategies for exploring these aspects in detail.