Widening the Product Profile of Carbon Dioxide Reduction by Vanadium Nitrogenase.

ABSTRACT: Two reaction systems based on vanadium nitrogenase were previously shown to reduce CO2 to hydrocarbons: 1)?an enzyme-based system that used both components of V?nitrogenase for ATP-dependent reduction of CO2 to ?C2 hydrocarbons; and 2)?a cofactor-based system that employed SmI2 to supply electrons to the isolated V?cluster for an ATP-independent reduction of CO2 to ?C3 hydrocarbons. Here, we report ATP-independent reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbons by a reaction system comprising Eu(II) DTPA and the VFe protein of V?nitrogenase. Combining features of both enzyme- and cofactor-based systems, this system exhibits improved C-C coupling and a broader product profile of ?C4 hydrocarbons. The C-C coupling does not employ CO2 -derived CO, and it is significantly enhanced in D2 O. These observations afford initial insights into the characteristics of this unique reaction and provide a potential template for future design of catalysts to recycle the greenhouse gas CO2 into useful products.

SUBMITTER: Rebelein JG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4696554 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature