Synthetic Models of the Nitrogenase Clusters

The properties of known oxidation states of the prosthetic groups of the nitrogenase proteins are summarized in Fig. 4. The subsequent section will consider the progress made by synthetic inorganic chemists in developing models for these unusual metal clusters. 

Many other synthetic complexes have been studied including cubic MoFe3S4 clusters.46 However, no exact chemical model for the FeMo-co coenzyme has been developed, and the rates of reaction for all of the model reactions are much slower than those of nitrogenases. 

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