Catalytic reduction of hydrazine to ammonia with MoFe3S4-polycarboxylate clusters: possible relevance regarding the function of the molybdenum-coordinated homocitrate in nitrogenase

The behavior of the (L)MoFe3S4 cubanes as catalysts in the reduction of hydrazine to ammonia is investigated by inhibition measurements and x-ray structural analysis. Results indicate that the MoFe3S4 cores catalytically reduce N2H4 to NH3 with HCl as the proton source and Co(Cp) as the reducing agent. The data also suggest that reduction occurs at the Mo site, with carboxylate functions acting as local H+ delivery agents.