Bioinorganic Catalysis
Enzymes are very efficient in activation of small molecules such as O2, N2, CO2 and H2O and redox reactions in general are run very efficiently in Nature. These processes are very important for the overall energy infrastructure of cells. In this course focus lies on how these catalytic reactions take place at the inorganic cofactors and how one can use the same design principles efficiently in artificial catalytic systems.
Topics that will be discussed
How Nature deals with Energy
Coordination Chemistry of Natural Systems
Electronic Structure & Frontier Orbitals
Electrochemistry of Molecular Systems
Electron Transfer in Enzymes
Proton Coupled Electron Transfer in Enzymes and Molecular Systems
Hydrogenases and Proton Reduction Catalysis
The Oxygen Evolving Center of Photosystem II
Molecular Water Oxidation Catalysts
Oxygenases
Oxidases
Reactive Oxygen Species and how Nature deals with them
Enzymes of the Carbon Cycle
Enzymes of the Nitrogen Cycle
Course Material
Scientific papers, lecture slides and exercises provided via blackboard
Assessment method
Written exam
Expected background
Electrochemistry and Bioelectrochemistry, “Chemie en toepassingen van overgangsmetalen” or a comparable coordination chemistry course.
Registration
Register for this course via uSis
For more information on how to sign up for classes