A bioinspired iron catalyst for nitrate and perchlorate reduction.

Title A bioinspired iron catalyst for nitrate and perchlorate reduction.
Authors C.L. Ford; Y.Ji Park; E.M. Matson; Z. Gordon; A.R. Fout
Journal Science
DOI 10.1126/science.aah6886
Abstract

Nitrate and perchlorate have considerable use in technology, synthetic materials, and agriculture; as a result, they have become pervasive water pollutants. Industrial strategies to chemically reduce these oxyanions often require the use of harsh conditions, but microorganisms can efficiently reduce them enzymatically. We developed an iron catalyst inspired by the active sites of nitrate reductase and (per)chlorate reductase enzymes. The catalyst features a secondary coordination sphere that aids in oxyanion deoxygenation. Upon reduction of the oxyanions, an iron(III)-oxo is formed, which in the presence of protons and electrons regenerates the catalyst and releases water.

Citation C.L. Ford; Y.Ji Park; E.M. Matson; Z. Gordon; A.R. Fout.A bioinspired iron catalyst for nitrate and perchlorate reduction.. Science. 2016;354(6313):741743. doi:10.1126/science.aah6886

Related Elements

Iron

See more Iron products. Iron (atomic symbol: Fe, atomic number: 26) is a Block D, Group 8, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 55.845. The number of electrons in each of Iron's shells is 2, 8, 14, 2 and its electron configuration is [Ar] 3d6 4s2. Iron Bohr ModelThe iron atom has a radius of 126 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 194 pm. Iron was discovered by humans before 5000 BC. In its elemental form, iron has a lustrous grayish metallic appearance. Iron is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust and the most common element by mass forming the earth as a whole. Iron is rarely found as a free element, since it tends to oxidize easily; it is usually found in minerals such as magnetite, hematite, goethite, limonite, or siderite.Elemental Iron Though pure iron is typically soft, the addition of carbon creates the alloy known as steel, which is significantly stronger.

Nitrogen

See more Nitrogen products. Nitrogen is a Block P, Group 15, Period 2 element. Its electron configuration is [He]2s22p3. Nitrogen is an odorless, tasteless, colorless and mostly inert gas. It is the seventh most abundant element in the universe and it constitutes 78.09% (by volume) of Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen was discovered by Daniel Rutherford in 1772.

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