NITROGEN-FIXATION IN SOLUTION

X-ray and other recent data on the nitrogen fixing enzyme, nitrogenase , reveal important details of its structure and provide the opportunit y to make plausible conclusions on the mechanism of its functioning, C omparisons with chemical model systems reducing N-2 to hydrazine and a mmonia show close similarities to the enzyme systems, in addition to t heir own peculiarities, The structure of these N-2 complexes with tran sition metals is discussed in relation to the mechanism of dinitrogen reduction in the metal coordination sphere, This helps in understandin g the requirements for a complex to be a catalyst for N-2 reduction in protic media under the action of mild reducing agents.