Supramolecular strategies for stabilization of biomimetic metal sites 

Metal-sulfur clusters are some of the world's most ancient and ubiquitous catalysts, and in enzymes they mediate some of the most challenging multielectron, multiproton-driven reactions forming the basis for all life on the planet. Strategies to stabilize and leverage reactive metal-sulfur clusters outside of the protein normally rely on chelating and strongly donating ligand architectures, which do not preserve their electronic structures. We are instead leveraging supramolecular approaches to stabilize biomimetic metal sites while preserving their weak-field ligand environments. We will use these systems to learn about the structure and function of metal sites in biology, towards potentially leveraging them as biomimetic catalyst systems.