Marcetta Y. Darensbourg

Responsible for important advances in coordination chemisty, organometallic chemistry, and bioinorganic model systems. Early work led to the first example of a metal carbonylate system in which contact-ion pairs are more reactive than the corresponding separated ions. Developed a reactivity scale for these compounds and provided methods for distinguishing direct hydride transfer and free radical pathways for their reactions. Synthesized macrocyclic-thiolate ligands whose nickel complexes serve as models for acetyl co-A Synthase. A leader in the translation of biological results into the language of chemical synthesis and molecular structures within bioorganometallic processes, especially hydrogenase enzymes. Developed rare mixed-valent Fe(I)Fe(II) complexes with structures that are synthetic models for the unique rotated structure of the enzyme active site. Work shows that organometallic chemistry can account for the properties of hydrogen-producing and hydrogen-activating enzymes in primitive organisms. Recipient, American Chemical Society Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry; elected ACS Fellow (Inaugural Class).