Iron–sulfur cluster

It is supposed that the last universal common ancestor had many iron-sulfur clusters.

[4] Iron–sulfur clusters occur in many biological systems, often as components of electron transfer proteins.

[6] The [4Fe–4S] clusters occur in two forms: normal ferredoxins and high potential iron proteins (HiPIP).

[7] The relevant redox couple in all Fe–S proteins is Fe(II)/Fe(III).

[7] Many clusters have been synthesized in the laboratory with the formula [Fe4S4(SR)4]2−, which are known for many R substituents, and with many cations.

Structure of [Fe 4 S 4 (SMe) 4 ] 2− , a synthetic analogue of 4Fe–4S cofactors . [ 1 ]
Figure. Illustrative synthetic Fe–S clusters. From left to right: Fe 3 S 2 (CO) 9 , [Fe 3 S(CO) 9 ] 2− , (C 5 H 5 ) 4 Fe 4 S 4 , and [Fe 4 S 4 Cl 4 ] 2− .
Structure of potassium dithioferrate , which features infinite chains of Fe(III) centers.