Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1977

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Schultz, Franklin A.

Abstract

Binuclear oxo- and sulfide-bridged Mo(V)-cysteine and Mo(V)-EDTA complexes are chosen as model compounds for nitrogenase enzyme. Both groups of complexes undergo electrochemical reduction in a single four- electron step to Mo(III) dimers. The reduced binuclear Mo (III) units dissociate into catalytically active species capable of reducing the nitrogenase substrate, acetylene. Ease of dissociation increases as oxygen is replaced by sulfur in the bridging unit. Electrocatalytic reduction products of acetylene consist primarily of C2H4 and C2H6 at low partial pressures, but C4H6, C4H8, and higher hydrocarbons predominate at higher pressures. The reduction of substrate is believed to occur by a Mo(III) catalyst adsorbed on the electrode surface. A mechanism is proposed for the e lectrocatalysis, and its relationship to the enzymic catalysis is discussed.

Extent

87 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1977.

Identifier

FADT13880

Format

pdf

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