Models for the Hydrogenases Put the Focus Where It Should Be-Hydrogen

摘要

Hydrogenase enzymes are topical because of their potential relevance to the "hydrogen economy". Furthermore they have structurally exotic active sites, featuring carbon monoxide, cyanide, and bimetallic cores, aspects that traditionally are associated with organometallic chemistry, not biology.'11 Two main hydrogenases are of current interest, the [NiFe] and the [FeFe] hydrogenases. A third hydrogenase has been established which also contains an {Fe(CO)2} active site, and the community is eagerly awaiting crystallographic insights. Concerning the architecture of the [NiFe]-hydrogenase active site (Figure 1), the important information derived from X-ray crystallography, various spectroscopic methods, and theoretical modeling has been reviewed.