Prospectus

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Bioinorganic Catalysis

Course
2016-2017

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

Contact Information

Dr. D.G.H. Hetterscheid