Activation Thermodynamics and H/D Kinetic Isotope Effect of the Hox to HredH+ Transition in [FeFe] Hydrogenase

Molecular complexes between CdSe nanocrystals and Clostridium acetobutylicum [FeFe] hydrogenase I (CaI) enabled light-driven control of electron transfer for spectroscopic detection of redox intermediates during catalytic proton reduction. Here we address the route of electron transfer from CdSe→CaI and activation thermodynamics of the initial step of proton reduction in CaI. The electron paramagnetic spectroscopy of illuminated CdSe:CaI showed how the CaI accessory FeS cluster chain (F-clusters) functions in electron transfer with CdSe. The H_ox→H_redH⁺ reduction step measured by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed an enthalpy of activation of 19 kJ mol^-1 and a ∼2.5-fold kinetic isotope effect. Overall, these results support electron injection from CdSe into CaI involving F-clusters, and that the H_ox→H_redH⁺ step of catalytic proton reduction in CaI proceeds by a proton-dependent process.