ATP-Independent Turnover of Dinitrogen Intermediates Captured on the Nitrogenase Cofactor

Nitrogenase reduces N₂ to NH₃ at its active-site cofactor. Previous studies of an N₂-bound Mo-nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii suggest binding of three N₂ species via asymmetric belt-sulfur displacements in the two cofactors of its catalytic component (designated Av1*), leading to the proposal of stepwise N₂ reduction involving all cofactor belt-sulfur sites; yet, the evidence for the existence of multiple N₂ species on Av1* remains elusive. Here we report a study of ATP-independent, Eu^II/SO₃²⁻-driven turnover of Av1* using GC-MS and frequency-selective pulse NMR techniques. Our data demonstrate incorporation of D₂-derived D by Av1* into the products of C₂H₂- and H⁺-reduction, and decreased formation of NH₃ by Av1* concomitant with the release of N₂ under H₂; moreover, they reveal a strict dependence of these activities on SO₃²⁻. These observations point to the presence of distinct N₂ species on Av1*, thereby providing strong support for our proposed mechanism of stepwise reduction of N₂ via belt-sulfur mobilization.     

固氮酶活性中心FeMo-Cofactor对N2活化方式的探讨

结合实验和理论计算的结果, 讨论了固氮酶的活性中心铁钼辅基(FeMo-co-facto r) 对N₂ 的各种活化方式, 并在此基础上提出了一种新模型, 即N₂ 在FeMo2cofacto r 的内部以“4Fe 端基配位+2Fe 侧基配位”的方式被活化,N₂ 的三重键完全断裂, 断裂产生的两个含N 的碎片分别偏向两侧的“窗口”, 再在H 的进攻下被还原为NH₃, 并分别从两侧的“窗口”离去。     

Activation of CO2 by Vanadium Nitrogenase

The reduction of CO₂ into useful products, including hydrocarbon fuels, is an ongoing area of particular interest due to efforts to mitigate buildup of this greenhouse gas. While the industrial Fischer–Tropsch process can facilitate the hydrogenation of CO₂ with H₂ to form short‐chain hydrocarbon products under high temperatures and pressures, a desire to perform these reactions under ambient conditions has inspired the use of biological approaches. Particularly, enzymes offer insight into how to activate and reduce CO₂, but only one enzyme, nitrogenase, can perform the multielectron, multiproton reduction of CO₂ into hydrocarbons. The vanadium‐containing variant, V‐nitrogenase, displays especial reactivity towards the hydrogenation of CO and CO₂. This Focus Review discusses recent progress towards the activation and reduction of CO₂ with three primary V‐nitrogenase systems. These systems span both ATP‐dependent and ATP‐independent processes and utilize approaches with whole cells, isolated proteins, and extracted cofactors.     

酞菁钴及其衍生物修饰电极对分子氧的电催化还原

在玻碳电极上采用吸附法制备了四溴代酞菁钴(CoPcBr₄)、酞菁钴(CoPc)和四-α-(2,2,4-三甲基-3-戊氧基)酞菁钴(CoPc(OC₈H₁₇)₄)修饰电极。利用循环伏安法和线性扫描伏安法研究了修饰电极在酸性介质中对分子氧的电催化还原,比较了不同取代基的酞菁钴对电催化性质的影响。结果表明,它们对分子氧还原均具有良好的电催化活性,其中酞菁钴和四-α-(2,2,4-三甲基-3-戊氧基)酞菁钴对O₂的催化是2电子还原生成H₂O₂,与裸电极相比,O₂的还原峰电位分别向正方向移动了0.33和0.48 V。而四溴代酞菁钴修饰电极在-0.1和-0.7 V附近产生的2个还原峰,说明它催化O₂到H₂O₂的还原以后还可以促进H₂O₂继续还原到H₂O,最终实现O₂的4电子还原。     

Electrocatalytic Dioxygen Reduction by Carbon Electrodes Noncovalently Modified with Iron Porphyrin Complexes: Enhancements from a Single Proton Relay

Oxygen reduction in acidic aqueous solution mediated by a series of asymmetric iron (III)‐tetra(aryl)porphyrins adsorbed to basal‐ and edge‐ plane graphite electrodes is investigated. The asymmetric iron porphyrin systems bear phenyl groups at three meso positions and either a 2‐pyridyl, a 2‐benzoic acid, or a 2‐hydroxyphenyl group at the remaining meso position. The presence of the three unmodified phenyl groups makes the compounds insoluble in water, enabling catalyst retention during electrochemical experiments. Resonance Raman data demonstrate that catalyst layers are maintained, but can undergo modification after prolonged catalysis in the presence of O₂. The introduction of a single proton relay group at the fourth meso position makes the asymmetric iron porphyrins markedly more robust catalysts; these molecules support higher sustained current densities than the parent iron tetraphenylporphyrin. Iron porphyrins bearing a 2‐pyridyl group are the most active catalysts and operate at stable current densities ≥1 mA cm^?2 for over 5 h. Comparative analysis of the catalysts with different proton relays also is reported.     

Nitrogenase Fe Protein: A Multi-Tasking Player in Substrate Reduction and Metallocluster Assembly

The Fe protein of nitrogenase plays multiple roles in substrate reduction and metallocluster assembly. Best known for its function to transfer electrons to its catalytic partner during nitrogenase catalysis, the Fe protein is also a key player in the biosynthesis of the complex metalloclusters of nitrogenase. In addition, it can function as a reductase on its own and affect the ambient reduction of CO₂ or CO to hydrocarbons. This review will provide an overview of the properties and functions of the Fe protein, highlighting the relevance of this unique FeS enzyme to areas related to the catalysis, biosynthesis, and applications of the fascinating nitrogenase system.     

Probing the Local Reaction Environment During High Turnover Carbon Dioxide Reduction with Ag-Based Gas Diffusion Electrodes

Discerning the influence of electrochemical reactions on the electrode microenvironment is an unavoidable topic for electrochemical reactions that involve the production of OH⁻ and the consumption of water. That is particularly true for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR), which together with the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) exert changes in the local OH⁻ and H₂O activity that in turn can possibly affect activity, stability, and selectivity of the CO₂RR. We determine the local OH⁻ and H₂O activity in close proximity to a CO₂-converting Ag-based gas diffusion electrode (GDE) with product analysis using gas chromatography. A Pt nanosensor is positioned in the vicinity of the working GDE using shear-force-based scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) approach curves, which allows monitoring changes invoked by reactions proceeding within an otherwise inaccessible porous GDE by potentiodynamic measurements at the Pt-tip nanosensor. We show that high turnover HER/CO₂RR at a GDE lead to modulations of the alkalinity of the local electrolyte, that resemble a 16 m KOH solution, variations that are in turn linked to the reaction selectivity.     

Redox Replacement of Silver on MOF-Derived Cu/C Nanoparticles on Gas Diffusion Electrodes for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

Bimetallic tandem catalysts have emerged as a promising strategy to locally increase the CO flux during electrochemical CO₂ reduction, so as to maximize the rate of conversion to C−C-coupled products. Considering this, a novel Cu/C−Ag nanostructured catalyst has been prepared by a redox replacement process, in which the ratio of the two metals can be tuned by the replacement time. An optimum Cu/Ag composition with similarly sized particles showed the highest CO₂ conversion to C₂₊ products compared to non-Ag-modified gas-diffusion electrodes. Gas chromatography and in-situ Raman measurements in a CO₂ gas diffusion cell suggest the formation of top-bound linear adsorbed *CO followed by consumption of CO in the successive cascade steps, as evidenced by the increasingνC−H bands. These findings suggest that two mechanisms operate simultaneously towards the production of HCO₂H and C−C-coupled products on the Cu/Ag bimetallic surface.     

Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction with a Half‐Sandwich Cobalt Catalyst: Selectivity towards CO

We present herein a Cp*Co(III)‐half‐sandwich catalyst system for electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction in aqueous acetonitrile solution. In addition to an electron‐donating Cp* ligand (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl), the catalyst featured a proton‐responsive pyridyl‐benzimidazole‐based N,N‐bidentate ligand. Owing to the presence of a relatively electron‐rich Co center, the reduced Co(I)‐state was made prone to activate the electrophilic carbon center of CO₂. At the same time, the proton‐responsive benzimidazole scaffold was susceptible to facilitate proton‐transfer during the subsequent reduction of CO₂. The above factors rendered the present catalyst active toward producing CO as the major product over the other potential 2e/2H⁺ reduced product HCOOH, in contrast to the only known similar half‐sandwich CpCo(III)‐based CO₂‐reduction catalysts which produced HCOOH selectively. The system exhibited a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of about 70% while the overpotential for CO production was found to be 0.78 V, as determined by controlled‐potential electrolysis.     

Effect of the potential of an external electron donor on C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript> reduction catalyzed by the nitrogenase active center (FeMoco) isolated from the enzyme

The effect of potential value and chemical properties of an external electron donor on C₂H₂ reduction catalyzed by nitrogenase active center (cluster [(₆-N)Fe₇MoS₉·homocitrate] FeMoco isolated from the enzyme) has been investigated in the presence of proton donors of different acidity. The temperature—reaction rate dependences of these reactions have been studied. It has been shown that the rate-limiting steps of the reactions differ depending on the proton donor used. When thiophenol or water are used as proton donors, and electrochemical step — the electron transfer from cathode to adsorbed catalytic cluster — has been found to be a rate-limiting one. The effective activation energy of ethane formation as a product of four-electron C₂H₂ reduction is found to be 1.5 times lower than that of ethylene, namely, 13 kcal mol^–1. When stronger acid, pentafluorothiophenol, is used as a proton donor, the chemical step of intramolecular rearrangement of the catalyst—substrate complex taking place in solution becomes a rate-limiting one. The effective activation energies of both ethylene and ethane become equal to 32 kcal mol^–1.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1583–1591, August, 2004.     

Evaluation of the Catalytic Relevance of the CO‐Bound States of V‐Nitrogenase

Binding and activation of CO by nitrogenase is a topic of interest because CO is isoelectronic to N₂, the physiological substrate of this enzyme. The catalytic relevance of one‐ and multi‐CO‐bound states (the lo‐CO and hi‐CO states) of V‐nitrogenase to C−C coupling and N₂ reduction was examined. Enzymatic and spectroscopic studies demonstrate that the multiple CO moieties in the hi‐CO state cannot be coupled as they are, suggesting that C−C coupling requires further activation and/or reduction of the bound CO entity. Moreover, these studies reveal an interesting correlation between decreased activity of N₂ reduction and increased population of the lo‐CO state, pointing to the catalytic relevance of the belt Fe atoms that are bridged by the single CO moiety in the lo‐CO state. Together, these results provide a useful framework for gaining insights into the nitrogenase‐catalyzed reaction via further exploration of the utility of the lo‐CO conformation of V‐nitrogenase.     

Catalytic Reduction of Dinitrogen Monoxide with Methane Over Metal Zeolite Catalysts

Pronounced activities on the reduction of N₂O with CH₄ were observed over Fe-ZSM-5, Pd-ZSM-5, and Pt-ZSM-5 catalysts, respectively. No significant deactivation has been detected over Fe-ZSM-5 in the presence of oxygen.     

Electrolyte Effects on the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to fuels or commodity chemicals is a reaction of high interest for closing the anthropogenic carbon cycle. The role of the electrolyte is of particular interest, as the interplay between the electrocatalytic surface and the electrolyte plays an important role in determining the outcome of the CO₂ reduction reaction. Therefore, insights on electrolyte effects on the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ are pivotal in designing electrochemical devices that are able to efficiently and selectively convert CO₂ into valuable products. Here, we provide an overview of recently obtained insights on electrolyte effects and we discuss how these insights can be used as design parameters for the construction of new electrocatalytic systems.     

Strategies for Bioelectrochemical CO2 Reduction

Atmospheric CO₂ is a cheap and abundant source of carbon for synthetic applications. However, the stability of CO₂ makes its conversion to other carbon compounds difficult and has prompted the extensive development of CO₂ reduction catalysts. Bioelectrocatalysts are generally more selective, highly efficient, can operate under mild conditions, and use electricity as the sole reducing agent. Improving the communication between an electrode and a bioelectrocatalyst remains a significant area of development. Through the examples of CO₂ reduction catalyzed by electroactive enzymes and whole cells, recent advancements in this area are compared and contrasted.     

Combining a Nitrogenase Scaffold and a Synthetic Compound into an Artificial Enzyme

Nitrogenase catalyzes substrate reduction at its cofactor center ([(Cit)MoFe₇S₉C]^n?; designated M‐cluster). Here, we report the formation of an artificial, nitrogenase‐mimicking enzyme upon insertion of a synthetic model complex ([Fe₆S₉(SEt)₂]^4?; designated Fe₆^RHH) into the catalytic component of nitrogenase (designated NifDK^apo). Two Fe₆^RHH clusters were inserted into NifDK^apo, rendering the conformation of the resultant protein (designated NifDK^Fe) similar to the one upon insertion of native M‐clusters. NifDK^Fe can work together with the reductase component of nitrogenase to reduce C₂H₂ in an ATP‐dependent reaction. It can also act as an enzyme on its own in the presence of Eu^IIDTPA, displaying a strong activity in C₂H₂ reduction while demonstrating an ability to reduce CN^? to C₁–C₃ hydrocarbons in an ATP‐independent manner. The successful outcome of this work provides the proof of concept and underlying principles for continued search of novel enzymatic activities based on this approach.     

Characterization of PVC-Tetraruthenated Metalloporphyrins Modified Electrodes: Application as Electrocatalyst in the Nitrite Reduction

Summary: This paper describes the electrochemical reduction of nitrite ion in 0.1 M NaClO₄, on glassy carbon or ITO electrodes modified with mixtures PVC- tetraruthenated metalloporphyrins. This electrode is able to keep the extraordinary electrocatalytic properties of the macrocycle allowing multielectronic transfers and a great stability as a consequence of the inclusion of the macrocycles into a polymeric support such as PVC. On the other hand, the electrochemical reduction of nitrite ion on these modified electrodes studied by cyclic voltammetry shows an enhancement in the current values and lower overpotential compared with the activity of the bare glassy carbon electrode. Controlled potential electrolysis experiments verify the production of ammonia, hydrazine and hydroxylamine, showing the electrocatalytic character and the stability of this modified electrode.     

Structural and Mechanistic Insights into CO2 Activation by Nitrogenase Iron Protein

The Fe protein of nitrogenase catalyzes the ambient reduction of CO₂ when its cluster is present in the all-ferrous, [Fe₄S₄]⁰ oxidation state. Here, we report a combined structural and theoretical study that probes the unique reactivity of the all-ferrous Fe protein toward CO₂. Structural comparisons of the Azotobacter vinelandii Fe protein in the [Fe₄S₄]⁰ and [Fe₄S₄]⁺ states point to a possible asymmetric functionality of a highly conserved Arg pair in CO₂ binding and reduction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide further support for the asymmetric coordination of O by the “proximal” Arg and binding of C to a unique Fe atom of the all-ferrous cluster, followed by donation of protons by the proximate guanidinium group of Arg that eventually results in the scission of a C−O bond. These results provide important mechanistic and structural insights into CO₂ activation by a surface-exposed, scaffold-held [Fe₄S₄] cluster.     

Metal-Based Aerogels Catalysts for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

General strategies for metal aerogel synthesis, including single-metal, transition-metal doped, multi-metal-doped, and nano-metal-doped carbon aerogel are described. In addition, the latest applications of several of the above-mentioned metal aerogels in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction are discussed. Finally, considering the possibility of future applications of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction technology, a vision for industrialization and directions that can be optimized are proposed.     

铋基二氧化碳还原电催化材料研究进展

二氧化碳（CO₂）作为一种经济、安全、可再生的碳资源化合物,其高效回收利用一直是全社会关注的焦点. 利用电化学方法,将CO₂还原转化生成一系列高附加值的化学品或燃料,对于缓解能源与环境双重压力具有重要的现实意义. 本论文介绍了电化学CO₂还原反应的基本原理与过程,综述了近年来铋基催化材料的发展现状,重点对这类催化材料的制备合成、结构调控、催化反应机理研究等方面进行了总结,最后对其未来发展方向进行了探讨与展望.