Analysis of a metal enzyme cluster
The [8Fe-7S] core of the P-clusters in nitrogenases is unique among the known [Fe-S] clusters which are essential to electron-transfer processes in nature. The [8Fe-7S] cluster has been thought unstable and to exist only in protein environments. This unusual [8Fe-7S] structure can be self-assembled from the reaction of Fe(II) bis-amide, tetramethylthiourea, 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenethiol, and elemental sulfur in a specific mole ratio. The structure of the complex isolated therefrom closely resembles that of the reduced form (PN) of the P-clusters, while the 6Fe(II)2Fe(III) oxidation state was manifested by the Mössbauer study.

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Reference: |
Ohki, Y., Sunada, Y., Honda, M., Katada, M., and Tatsumi, K., Synthesis of the P-Cluster Inorganic Core of Nitrogenases, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125, 4052-4053 (2002) [abstract] |
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Compound: |
[{N(SiMe3)2}{SC(NMe2)2}Fe4S3]2(μ6-S){μ-N(SiMe3)2}2 |
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Formula |
C41H104Fe8N8S9Si8 |
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Formula weight: |
1669.33 |
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Crystal size: |
0.30 × 0.20 × 0.20 mm |
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Space group: |
P21/c |
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Unit cell: |
a=14.825(2) Å |
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Radiation: |
MoKα |
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Data collection temperature: |
193K |
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Source: |
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Detector: |
Data provided by Professor Kazuyuki Tatsumi,
Nagoya University, Research Center for Materials Science