Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Abiological Fixation of Molecular Nitrogen

  • Chapter
The Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nitrogen Fixation

Abstract

The most recent interest in the reactions of molecular nitrogen has been stimulated by the conviction that it should be possible to reproduce in the laboratory the reactions whereby micro-organisms can convert molecular nitrogen to ammonia at normal ambient temperatures and partial pressures, and probably in an aqueous environment. Chemists have also been intrigued for many years by the possibility of making complexes of dinitrogen (Orgel, 1966) analogous to those of dioxygen (Bayer and Schretzmann, 1967) or carbon monoxide (Abel, 1963), which have been known for a comparatively long time. Although progress in both these areas has been rapid of late, this is only a continuation of studies of the fixation of molecular nitrogen which have proceeded for more than a century, prompted, in part, by the very early recognition of the apparent ability of some plants to fix dinitrogen (Davy, 1836) and, in part, by the need for nitrogenous fertilizers to augment and replace supplies from natural sources.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • E. W. ABEL, Quart. Rev. (London), 17, 133 (1963)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. A. I. AL-JOBOURY, D. P. MAY and D. W. TURNER, J. Chem. Soc, 616 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • A. D. ALLEN and F. BOTTOMLEY, Can. J. Chem., 46, 469 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. ANBAR, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 88, 5924 (1966).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K. BAHADUR and S. RANGNAYAKI, Vijnana Parishad Anasandahan Patrika, 6,63 (1963).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. BAYER and P. SCHRETZMANN, Structure and Bonding, 2, 181 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. BAYER and V. SCHURIG, Chem. Ber., 102, 3378 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. F. BENDER and E. R. DAVIDSON, J. Chem. Phys., 46, 3313 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. E. BERCAW and H. BRINTZINGER, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 91, 7301 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S. G. BISHOP, P.J. RING and P.J. BRAY, J. Chem. Phys., 45, 1523 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • G. C. BOND, Catalysis in Metals, Butterworth, London (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu. G. BORODKO, A. E. SHILOV and A. A. SHTEINMAN, Dokl. Akad. Nauk, S.S.S.R., 168, 581 (1966).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu. G. BORODKO and A. E. KRYLOVA, Zh. Strukt. Khim, 8, 246 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu. G. BORODKO and A. E. SHILOV, Russ. Chem. Rev., 35, 355 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. W. BREZINA and E. GELERINTER, J. Chem. Phys., 41, 3293 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. BRILL, P. JIRU and G. SCHULZ, Z. Physik. Chem. (Leipzig), 64, 215 (1969).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. BRINTZINGER, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 88, 4305 (1966a).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. BRINTZINGER, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 88, 4307 (1966b).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. BRINTZINGER, Biochemistry, 5, 3947 (1966c).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • H. BRINTZINGER, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 89, 6871 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • S. CARRA and R. UGO, J. Catalysis, 15, 435 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. CHATT, G. J. LEIGH and R. L. RICHARDS, Chem. Commun., 515 (1969a).

    Google Scholar 

  • J. CHATT, C. D. FALK, G.J. LEIGH and R.J. PASKE, J. Chem. Soc. (A), 2288 (1969b).

    Google Scholar 

  • J. CHATT, J. R. DILWORTH and G.J. LEIGH, Chem. Commun., 687 (1969c). Chemical Society Special Publication 11, Interatomic Distances, The Chemical Society, London (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • S. S. CHERNIKOV, S. G. KUZMIN and Yu. G. BORODKO, Zhur. Fiz. Khim., 42, 2038 (1968).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. A. COULSON, Valence, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • H. DAVY, Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, 5th ed. Longmans, London (1836).

    Google Scholar 

  • W. B. DEMORE and N. DAVIDSON, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 81, 5869 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. B. DEMORE and O. F. RAPER, Can. J. Chem., 41, 808 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N. R. DHAR, J. Chim. Phys., 55, 980 (1959).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. C. DOBINSON, R. MASON, G. B. ROBERTSON, R. UGO, F. CONTI, R. MORELLI, S. CENINI and F. BONATI, Chem. Commun., 1539 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • R. P. EISCHENS and J. JACKNOW, Proc Intern. Congress Catalysis Amsterdam 1964, 627 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • J. ELLERMAN, F. POERSCH, R. KUNSTMANN and R. KRAMOLOWSKY, Angew. Chem., 81, 183 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. A. ËRNST, Fixation of Atmospheric Nitrogen, van Nostrand Company, New York (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • O. FOTIN, Russ. Chem. Rev., 36, 725 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. GELERINTER and H. SILSBEE, J. Chem. Phys., 45, 1703 (1966).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, 8th ed., System Number 4, Nitrogen, Part 1. Verlag Chemie, Weinheim/Bergstr (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • D. E. GOLDEN, Phys. Rev. Letters, 17, 847 (1966).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. R. GRAY and C. H. BRUBAKER, Chem. Commun., 1239 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • P. M. GUNDRY, J. HABER and F. C. TOMPKINS, J. Catalysis, 1, 363 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. P. HAIGHT and R. SCOTT, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 86, 743 (1964).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. W. F. HARDY and E. KNIGHT, Progress in Phyto chemistry. (L. Rheinhold, ed.), p. 387. John Wiley and Son, New York (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • D. E. HARRISON and H. TAUBE, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 89, 5706 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. HENRICIOLIVÉ and S. OLIVÉ, Angew. Chem., 79, 897, 898 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. HENRICI-OLIVÉ and S. Olive, Angew. Chem., 80, 398 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. HUNIG, H. R. MÃœLLER and W. THIER, Angew. Chem., 77, 368 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • H. H. JAFFE, J. Chem. Educ, 33, 25 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B. D. JAMES, R. K. NANHA and M. G. H. WALLBRIDGE, Chem. Commun., 897 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • G. G. JORIS and H. S. TAYLOR, J. Chem. Phys., 7, 893 (1939).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. JUZA, Advances in Inorganic and Radio chemistry, 9, 95 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • D. KATAKIS and H. TAUBE, J. Chem. Phys., 36, 416 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. I. KRASILSHCHIKOV, L. G. ANTONOVA, Z. M. BIRYUKOVA, I. M. KARATAEVA and T. T. FILCHENKOVA, Russ. J. Phys. Chem., 37, 102 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • A. I. KRASILSHCHIKOV and L. G. ANTONOVA, Russ. J. Phys. Chem., 39, 895 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • J. T. KUMMER and P. H. EMMETT, J. Chem. Phys., 19, 289 (1951).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • V. N. LATYAEVA, L. I. VISHINSKAYA, V. B. SHUR, L. A. FEDEROV and M. E. VOLPIN, Dokl. Akad. nauk S.S.S.R., 179, 875 (1968).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K. H. LINKE and H. LINKMANN, Z. Anorg. Allgem. Chem., 366, 89 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. S. LOGAN and J. PHILP, J. Catalysis, 10, 1 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. E. MARCH and H. I. SCHIFF, Can. J. Chem., 16, 1891 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. MASKILL and J. M. PRATT, J. Chem. Soc. (A), 1914 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • J. W. MELLOR, Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, Vol. 8, Supplement 1, Part 1, 1964, and Part 2, 1967. Longmans Green and Co., London.

    Google Scholar 

  • J. C. P. MIGNOLET, Discussions Faraday Soc, 8, 105 (1950a).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. C. P. MIGNOLET, Discussions Faraday Soc, 8, 326 (1950b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. S. MULLIKEN, Can. J. Chem., 36, 10 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T. NAKATA and S. MATSUSHITA, J. Phys. Chem., 72, 458 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. N. NECHIPORENKO, G. M. TABRINA, A. K. SHILOVA and A. E. SHILOV, Dokl. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., 164, 977 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • L. E. ORGEL, Ligand Field Theory—An Introduction to Transition Metal Chemistry, 2nd ed., p. 141. Methuen, London (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • D. C. OWSLEY and G. K. HELMKAMP, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 89,4558 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. A. PARKER, Aust. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci., 33, 33 (1955).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • N. D. PARKYNS and B. C. PATTERSON, Chem. Commun., 530 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • L. PAULING, The Nature of the Chemical Bond, 3rd ed. Cornell University Press (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • L. PAULING, Tetrahedron, 17, 229 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • V. PONEC and Z. Knor, J. Catalysis, 10, 73 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. RAVI, D. A. KING and N. SHEPPARD, Trans. Faraday Soc, 64, 3358 (1968).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. W. ROBERTS and F. C. TOMPKINS, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) A, 251, 369 (1959).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. SACCO and M. ROSSI, Chem. Commun., 419 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • W. M. H. SACHTLER and G.J. H. DORGELD, J. Chim. Phys., 54, 27 (1957).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. M. H. SACHTLER and L. L. van REIJEN, J. Res. Institute Catalysis, 87 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • W. SANDER, Z. Physik, 169, 353 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. A. SCHMIDT, Angew. Chem., 80, 151 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V. I. SCHVACHKO, Ya. M. FOGEL and V. Ya. KOLOT, Kinetics Catalysis (U.S.S.R.), 7, 734 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • A. E. SHILOV, A. A. SHTEINMAN and M. B. TYABIN, Tetrahedron Letters, 4177 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • A. E. SHILOV and A. K. SHILOVA, Kinetika i Kataliz, 9, 1163 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • A. E. SHILOV, A. K. SHILOVA, and E. F. KVASHINA, Kinetika i Kataliz, 10, 1402 (1969).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. J. SHUSKUS, G. C. YOUNG, O. R. GILLIAM and P. W. LEVY, J. Chem. Phys., 33, 622 (1960).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. SUDO, M. ICHIKAWA, M. SUMO, T. ONISHI and K. TAMARU, J. Phys. Chem., 73, 1174(1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • K. TAMARU, Proc. Intern. Congress Catalysis Amsterdam 1964, 664 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • H. TORKAR and H. T. SPATH, Monats. Chem., 98, 2020 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B. M. W. TRAPNELL, Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) A, 218, 563 (1953).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. van HARDEVELD and A. van MONTFORT, Surface Science, 4, 396 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN, R. S. DEWEY, M. F. LEASE and W. H. PIRKLE, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 83, 4302 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN, G. BOCHE, S. W. ELA and R. B. FECHTER, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 89, 5707 (1967).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN, G. BOCHE and R. GREELY, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 90, 1677 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN and B. AKERMARK, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 90, 4492 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN and D. A. SEELEY, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 91, 5194 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN, R. B. FECHTER, S. W. SCHNELLER, G. BOCHE, R. H. GREELY and B. AKERMARK, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 91, 1551 (1969a).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. van TAMELEN, R. B. FECHTER and S. W. SCHNELLER, J. Am. Chem. Soc, 91, 7196 (1969b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, V. B. SHUR and L. P. BICHIN, Izv. Akad Nauk S.S.S.R., Otd. Khim.Nauk, 721 (1965a).

    Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, M. A. ILATOVSKAYA, E. I. LARIKOV, M. L. KHIDEKEL, Yu. A. SHVETSOV and V. B. SHUR, Dokl. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., 164, 331 (1965b).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN and V. B. SHUR, Nature, 209, 1236 (1966a).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN and V. B. SHUR, Izv. Akad Nauk S.S.S.R., Otd. Khim. Nauk, 1873 (1966b).

    Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, V. B. SHUR, V. N. LATYAEVA, L. I. VISHINSKAYA and L. A. SHULGAITSER, Izu. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Otd. Khim. Nauk, 385 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, M. A. ILATOVSKAYA, L. V. KOSYAKOVA and V. B. SHUR, Chem. Commun., 1074 (1968a).

    Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, M. A. ILATOVSKAYA, L. V. KOSYAKOVA and V. B. SHUR, Dokl. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., 180, 103 (1968b).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, V. B. SHUR, R. V. KUDRYAVTSEV and L. A. PRODAYKO, Chem. Commun., 1038 (1968c).

    Google Scholar 

  • M. E. VOLPIN, A. A. BELII and N. A. KATKOV, Izv. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., Otd. Khim. Nauk, 2858 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • D. W. WYLIE, A. J. SHUSKUS, G. C. YOUNG, O. R. GILLIAM and P. W. LEVY, Phys. Rev., 125, 451 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. YAMAMOTO, M. OKAWA and S. IKEDA, Chem. Commun., 841 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • K. B. YATSIMIRSKII and V. K. PAVLOVA, Dokl. Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R., 165, 130 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. A.R.C. Unit of Nitrogen Fixation, University of Sussex, BN1 9QJ, Falmer, Sussex, England

    G. J. Leigh

Authors
  1. G. J. Leigh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, UK

    J. R. Postgate

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1971 Plenum Publishing Company Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Leigh, G.J. (1971). Abiological Fixation of Molecular Nitrogen. In: Postgate, J.R. (eds) The Chemistry and Biochemistry of Nitrogen Fixation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1818-7_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1818-7_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-1820-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-1818-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation