Enzymes represent an invaluable source of inspiration for improving catalytic processes. In recent years we have investigated the mechanism of substrates reduction catalyzed by the metalloenzyme nitrogenase. Nitrogenase is an extremely versatile enzyme, which, in addition to the reduction of dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3), catalyzes a number of energy-relevant reactions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction to formate (HCOO-), carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4), at ambient condition using ATP, electrons and protons. In this talk I will discuss the results of a combined series of experimental and computational studies aimed at understanding fast electron and proton transfer and substrates activation in nitrogenase, and what how this information could lead to new strategies for electro-chemical transformations.

Nitrogenase reduction of N2 and CO2

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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