Evidence for Interstitial Carbon in Nitrogenase FeMo Cofactor

By T. Spatzal, Müge Aksoyoglu, Limei Zhang, S. Andrade, E. Schleicher, S. Weber, D. Rees, O. Einsle. Science, 2011

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Structural data show that the light atom at the center of the nitrogenase active site cofactor is a carbon. The identity of the interstitial light atom in the center of the FeMo cofactor of nitrogenase has been enigmatic since its discovery. Atomic-resolution x-ray diffraction data and an electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) analysis now provide direct evidence that the ligand is a carbon species.

Subfields: Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/458a2313248d3eb763f23ffc0088547e2bc42b0c