The reaction, under carbon monoxide, of [Fe(NS3)(CO)](-) [NS3 = N(CH2CH2S)(3)(3-)] with [NiCl2(dppe)] gives the structurally characterised dinuclear thiolate-bridged complex [{Fe(NS3)(CO)(2)-S,S'}NiCl(dppe)], which has structural features similar to those of the active site of NiFe-hydrogenase.