Submitted by Adam Johnson / Harvey Mudd College on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 12:51
Forums
Teaching
I have a student interested in doing a private reading on "synthetic analogs of metalloenzymes for the reduction of water to H2 and the oxidation of water to O2."  He is also intrested in computational chemistry, but  beyond "read a bunch of Nocera papers," I am at a loss here.  I suppose we could trace the history of the OEC in PSII;  comparing the determination  of the real structure with the concurrent development of model complexes (functional and spectroscopic).  Anyone have any suggestions?
Hilary Eppley / DePauw University
Certainly the topics you suggest seem reasonable. Without knowing how your readings course is structured (how many credits?) it seems like you could supplement with background material about what other kinds of inorganic systems oxidize and reduce water. The student can then answer what is special (or not) about the model complexes vs. other inorganic systems. Just a thought...
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 13:57 Permalink
Chris Mullins / University of Kentucky

We had a paper in Coordination Chemistry Reviews in 2008, special issue solely on the Oxygen Evolving Center of Photosystem II.

ref:

Reflections on Small Molecule Manganese Models that Seek to Mimic Photosynthetic Water Oxidation Chemistry
C. S. Mullins, and V.L. Pecoraro
Coordination Chemistry Reviews 2008,252, 416-443

I would suggest reading anything by Gary Brudvig on this subject. Regarding reduction of H2O, I have to say I'm not as aware of the current research. Please let me know of any good references he digs up.

Thanks!

Thu, 04/23/2009 - 22:24 Permalink