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Nitrogenase Cofactor: Inspiration for Model Chemistry
Author(s) -
Djurdjevic Ivana,
Einsle Oliver,
Decamps Laure
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistry – an asian journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.18
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1861-471X
pISSN - 1861-4728
DOI - 10.1002/asia.201700478
Subject(s) - nitrogenase , bioinorganic chemistry , chemistry , cofactor , nanotechnology , catalysis , combinatorial chemistry , stereochemistry , enzyme , materials science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , nitrogen fixation , nitrogen
Abstract The cofactor of nitrogenase is the largest and most intricate metal cluster known in nature. Its reactivity, mode of action and even the precise binding site of substrate remain a matter of debate. For decades, synthetic chemists have taken inspiration from the exceptional structural, electronic and catalytic features of the cofactor and have tried to either mimic the unique topology of the entire site, or to extract its functional principles and build them into novel catalysts that achieve the same—or very similar—astounding transformations. We review some of the available model chemistry as it represents the various approaches that have been taken from studying the cofactor, to eventually summarize the current state of knowledge on catalysis by nitrogenase and highlight the mutually beneficial role of model chemistry and enzymology in bioinorganic chemistry.