Synthesis and Characterization of PDI Metallo-enzyme Mimics
Research Mentor(s)
Aguayo, Kristopher
Description
The discovery of inorganic fertilizers in the early 20th century gave rise an increase in agricultural production. This increase in production skyrocketed the population from 1.6 billion people to six billion. One such fertilizer is nitrate. Unfortunately, excessive use of it as a fertilizer results in leeching into soil and streams. The solution to such problem is to reduce nitrate to less harmful forms such as nitrogen containing gasses. This is known as the denitrification step of the nitrogen cycle and is achieved by nitrate reductase, an enzyme found in bacteria. The rate at which this process occurs is much slower than the rate at which humans use nitrate, therefore an excess of nitrate is often found in soils. Finding methods to reduce nitrate to less harmful forms of nitrogen is the focus of our lab's research. We use pyridinediimine(PDI)-metal complexes with transition metals to reduce nitrate. These metals have been chosen due to their redox potential and their relative cheapness. The PDI ligand can act as an electron reservoir allowing the complex to become highly reduced. Our lab as reported iron, zinc, and copper PDI complexes and have recently begun to expand to other metals transition metals, specifically cobalt and manganese. The manganese and cobalt PDI complexes have been synthesized and are characterized through spectroscopic techniques, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
End Date
17-5-2018 12:00 AM
Department
Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Nitrification; Soils--Nitrogen content; Nitrogen fertilizers
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Synthesis and Characterization of PDI Metallo-enzyme Mimics
The discovery of inorganic fertilizers in the early 20th century gave rise an increase in agricultural production. This increase in production skyrocketed the population from 1.6 billion people to six billion. One such fertilizer is nitrate. Unfortunately, excessive use of it as a fertilizer results in leeching into soil and streams. The solution to such problem is to reduce nitrate to less harmful forms such as nitrogen containing gasses. This is known as the denitrification step of the nitrogen cycle and is achieved by nitrate reductase, an enzyme found in bacteria. The rate at which this process occurs is much slower than the rate at which humans use nitrate, therefore an excess of nitrate is often found in soils. Finding methods to reduce nitrate to less harmful forms of nitrogen is the focus of our lab's research. We use pyridinediimine(PDI)-metal complexes with transition metals to reduce nitrate. These metals have been chosen due to their redox potential and their relative cheapness. The PDI ligand can act as an electron reservoir allowing the complex to become highly reduced. Our lab as reported iron, zinc, and copper PDI complexes and have recently begun to expand to other metals transition metals, specifically cobalt and manganese. The manganese and cobalt PDI complexes have been synthesized and are characterized through spectroscopic techniques, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy.