Review of electrochemical studies of complexes containing the Fe2S2 core characteristic of [FeFe]-hydrogenases including catalysis by these complexes of the reduction of acids to form dihydrogen

This article reviews published literature on the electrochemical reduction and oxidation of complexes containing the Fe2S2 core characteristic of the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Correlations between reduction and oxidation potentials and molecular structure are developed and presented. In cases where the complexes have been studied with regard to their ability to catalyze the reduction of acids to give dihydrogen, the overpotentials for such catalyzed reduction are presented and an attempt is made to estimate, at least qualitatively, the efficiency of such catalysis. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.