Molybdenum-dependent nitrogenases catalyze the transformation of dinitrogen into ammonia under ambient conditions. The active site (FeMo cofactor) is the structurally and electronically complex weak-field metal cluster [MoFe₇S₉C] built of Fe₄S₃ and MoFe₃S₃C portions connected by three sulfur bridges and containing an interstitial carbon atom centered in an Fe₆ trigonal prism. Chemical synthesis of this cluster is a major challenge in biomimetic inorganic chemistry. One synthetic approach of core ligand metathesis has been developed based on the design and synthesis of unprecedented incomplete ([(Tp*)WFe₂S₃Q₃]⁻) and complete ([(Tp*)WFe₃S₃Q₄]²⁻) cubane-type clusters containing bridging halide (Q = halide). These clusters are achieved by template-assisted assembly in the presence of sodium benzophenone ketyl reductant; products are controlled by reaction stoichiometry. Incomplete cubane clusters are subject to a variety of metathesis reactions resulting in substitution of a μ₂-bridging ligand with other bridges such as N₃⁻, MeO⁻, and EtS⁻. Reactions of complete cubanes with Me₃SiN₃ and S₈ undergo a redox metathesis process and lead to core ligand displacement and formation of [(Tp*)WFe₃S₃(μ₃-Q)Cl₃]⁻ (Q = Me₃SiN²⁻, S²⁻). This work affords entry to a wide variety of heteroleptic clusters derivable from incomplete and complete cubanes; examples are provided. Among these is the cluster [(Tp*)WFe₃S₃(μ₃-NSiMe₃)Cl₃]⁻, one of the very few instances of a synthetic Fe–S cluster containing a light atom (C, N, O) in the core, which constitutes a close mimic of the [MoFe₃S₃C] fragment in FeMo cofactor. Superposition of them and comparison of metric information disclose a clear structural relationship [Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)hydroborate(1−)]. Significance The biosynthesis and mechanism of action of nitrogenase, an enzyme that converts dinitrogen to ammonia under ambient conditions, are problems of prominent significance in metallobiochemistry. Because the active centers of the enzyme are metal–ligand clusters, it is feasible that they are attainable by synthesis and as such are primary goals in the field of biomimetic inorganic chemistry. Here we present a ligand metathesis strategy utilizing the periodic near-identity of molybdenum and tungsten when incorporated into analogous compounds. The approach provides a pathway for constructing heterometal heteroleptic Fe–S clusters of presumed relevance to the active site. Based on cubane-type stereochemistry, clusters have been prepared allowing alterations in structure and ligand binding, and inclusion of a light core atom.

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