Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Differential reduction of CO₂ by molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases
Johannes G Rebelein1, Yilin Hu, Markus W Ribbe
1Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine (USA).
Abstract:
The molybdenum and vanadium nitrogenases are two homologous enzymes with distinct structural and catalytic features. Previously, it was demonstrated that the V nitrogenase was nearly 700 times more active than its Mo counterpart in reducing CO to hydrocarbons. Herein, a similar discrepancy between the two nitrogenases in the reduction of CO2 is reported, with the V nitrogenase being capable of reducing CO2 to CO, CD4, C2D4, and C2D6, and its Mo counterpart only capable of reducing CO2 to CO. Furthermore, it is shown that the V nitrogenase may direct the formation of CD4 in part via CO2-derived CO, but that it does not catalyze the formation of C2D4 and C2D6 along this route. The exciting observation of a V nitrogenase-catalyzed C-C coupling with CO2 as the origin of the building blocks adds another interesting reaction to the catalytic repertoire of this unique enzyme system. The differential activities of the V and Mo nitrogenases in CO2 reduction provide an important framework for systematic investigations of this reaction in the future.
More Related Videos
08:40Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
08:15Temperature-programmed Deoxygenation of Acetic Acid on Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts
Published on: February 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkanes: Wolff–Kishner Reduction
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation