Diiron bis(monothiolato)-bridged hydrogenase mimics [Fe 2 (μ-S i Pr) 2 (CO) 6 ] A ( i Pr = isopropyl) and their phosphine derivatives [Fe 2 (μ-S i Pr) 2 (CO) 5 (L 1/2 )] and [Fe 2 (μ-S i Pr) 2 (CO) 4 (L 3 )] {tricyclohexylphosphine (L 1 , PCy 3 ) 1, triphenylphosphine (L 2 , PPh 3 ) 2 and cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene (L 3 , dppv) 3} have been synthesized and investigated for electrocatalytic proton reduction activity in CH 3 CNÀ H 2 O. Based on the FTIR data (red-shift), the electron-donating ability of the phosphines followed the order: dppv > PCy 3 > PPh 3 (average shift value with respect to complex A was 61 (1), 51 (2) and 80 (3) cm À 1 ). From CV measurements, it was seen that the catalytic reduction potential (acetic acid as proton source) shifted considerably towards positive potentials (anodic shift) on changing the solvent from pure CH 3 CN to CH 3 CNÀ H 2 O (4 : 1 v/v). An increase in the percentage of water in CH 3 CN led to the decomposition of complexes 1 and 3. Though complexes A and 2 were stable in CH 3 CNÀ H 2 O (3 : 2 v/v), no improvement in electrocatalytic currents was observed.