Synthesis of iron sulfur clusters as models for primordial life

The synthesis of a lipid-bound ligand of the [4Fe4S] hydrogenase model complex is described. The ligand, after reaction to the final hydrogenase complex, can be incorporated into liposomes, which serve as models for cell membranes and allow research on primitive bio-systems. The crucial synthetic steps were the choice of nucleophile for substitution of tribromo-trifluorobenzene and the choice of a benzoyl group instead of a methoxymethyl group as protecting group.