Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Substrate Binding And Reduction Mechanism Of Molybdenum Nitrogenase, Zhiyong Yang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As a key constituent of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules, nitrogen is essential to all living organisms including human beings. Dinitrogen represents the largest pool of nitrogen, about 79% of the Earth’s atmosphere, yet it is unusable by most living organisms due to its inertness. There are two ways to fix this inert dinitrogen to usable ammonia. One is the industrial Haber-Bosch process, which needs to be conducted at high temperature and pressure. This process uses a lot of the non-renewable fossil fuel as the energy source. The other major pathway is the biological nitrogen fixation carried out by …

The Photochemical Reduction Of Octacyanomolybdate(V) Ion In Aqueous Solutions, Gordon W. Gray

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The photochemical reactions occurring in aqueous solutions of octacyanomolybdate(V) ion, Mo(CN)₈^3-, during irradiation with light of 365 and 436 nm wavelengths were studied. The quantum yields and reaction products were determined for neutral, unbuffered solutions as well as solutions buffered at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 9.0.

The results of these studies showed that the Mo(CN)₈^3- ion is rapidly reduced by light to a Mo(IV) complex. In neutral or acidic media, the initial photoreduction product was found to be the red heptacyanoaquomolybdate(IV) ion, Mo(CN)₇(H₂O)^3-. Photolysis in basic solution gave the …