Molecular scaffolding : setting foundations for metal complexation and bioinorganic modeling

Presented herein is a survey of anthracene scaffolded ligands for the purpose of providing foundational insights into metal complexation of the ligands to formulate accurate models of the naturally occurring enzyme Fe-hydrogenase. A review of rigid scaffolds utilized in bioinorganic chemistry with emphasis on how our anthracenyl approach to modeling Hmd is presented followed by a discourse into CO₂ reduction catalysis utilizing a novel symmetric anthracene ligand. A series of asymmetric ligands and corresponding metal complexes is presented and characterized in detail via the Mn carbonyl environment. Furthermore, studies were undertaken to synthesize novel ligands to incorporate new pnictogen type donors; further speculating on the significance of the ligand field observed in the active site and its ability to activate H₂