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Electron - transfer in Nitrogen Fixation Pathways

ReferenceBBS/E/J/40004056
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Professor Christopher Pickett
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Dr David Hughes
Institution John Innes Centre
DepartmentJohn Innes Centre Department
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 123,205
StatusCompleted
TypeInstitute Project
Start date 01/04/1997
End date 31/03/2001
Duration48 months

Abstract

Biological nitrogen fixation involves the integration of proton - and electron - transfer to effect the binding and conversion of molecular nitrogen to ammonia and parallel inputs are involved in the electrosynthesis of ammonia under ambient conditions mediated by a tungsten complex. Biological fixation intimately takes place at the FeMoco centre of nitrogenase (RO4026 ) and involves general and obligatory evolution of molecular hydrogen. We study elementary electron-transfer chemistry involving molecular nitrogen and protons at metal centres with the objective of defining intermediates and pathways which may relate to the interlocking hydrogen evolution and dinitrogen reduction cycles of the natural system (complements RO 4035 and 4039) and to the mechanism of the electrosynthetic reaction. We also study the formation and electron-transfer chemistry of intermediates with nitrogen - carbon bonds with the objective of defining new abiological fixation pathways to higher value organonitrogen compounds, including nitrogen heterocycles, amino acids, and nitriles. Key elements in the research are the utilisation of C-C bond forming reactions at carbons adjacent to ligated nitride and the development of enantioselective syntheses. We combine advanced electrochemical, spectroscopic and digital simulation techniques to elucidate the electron-transfer chemistry ; we isolate stable intermediates and products and use X-ray crystallography for structural characterisation

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Biomolecular Sciences (BMS)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative X - not in an Initiative
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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