ISSN:
1475-2743
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract. Nitrogen-fixing micro-organisms contain the metalloenzyme nitrogenase, which can be separated into two proteins with molecular weights of approximately 58000 and 220000. Molybdenum held with iron and sulphide atoms in the cofactor (FeMoco) cluster of the larger protein is probably responsible for binding and reduction of dinitrogen (N2). X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicates that the moybdenum is surrounded by three oxygen (or nitrogen) atoms, three irons and three sulphurs. Synthetic clusters with similar X-ray absorption structures to FeMoco do not, however, interact with dinitrogen. Many metal compounds, such as those with tertiary phosphines as co-ligands, can bind dinitrogen, and some containing molybdenum can also reduce it in acidic solution to produce ammonia via several intermediate compounds. These may be developed for production of ammonia fertilizer.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.1990.tb00808.x
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