Hydrogen is attracting attention as a clean energy source, as represented by fuel cells, which generate electricity by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the air and emit only water.The key to efficient use of hydrogen is the development of catalysts that promote the reaction.

　The catalyst works not only in fuel cells.A catalyst is also required for the production of hydrogen and hydrogenation to which hydrogen is added.In fact, there are already "hydrogenase enzymes" that are responsible for the synthesis and decomposition of hydrogen in the natural world, but they are classified into three types of hydrogenase enzymes depending on the metal in the active site, and each has a different catalytic function.

　In this study, we designed a catalytic molecule that can mimic the structures of all three types, inspired by the structures of these three types of natural hydrogenase enzymes.That is, with three types of isomers having the same molecular formula but different structures, like three types of hydrogenase enzymes, (3) catalysts for hydrogen electrodes in fuel cells, (3) catalysts for hydrogen production, and (3) hydrogens in the chemical industry. It is said that it succeeded in developing one catalyst that can act as a catalyst for chemical conversion.

　This catalyst can be transformed into a catalyst with three different functions by rotating a part of the molecule like turning the steering wheel of a car.The advantage is that unlike natural hydrogenase enzymes, there is no need to change the components of the catalyst.

　The findings obtained in this research are expected to lead to the development of next-generation catalysts for the realization of a hydrogen-based society.

Paper information:[Science Advances] [NiFe], [FeFe], and [Fe] hydrogenase models from isomers