Molybdenum and Tungsten Oxidoreductase Models

Abstract

AbstractThis microreview gives an overview about advances in bioinorganic model chemistry for molybdenum‐ and tungsten‐dependent oxidoreductases with respect to specific aspects of the evolution, structure or function of distinct active‐site properties. The approaches to evaluate catalytic properties fine‐tuned by the ligand sphere, interpret and assign enzyme spectra and to understand why two different metals are used for the same task but in distinct habitats and respective evolutionary aspects are discussed on the basis of exemplary case studies. This short review provides a personal perspective and appreciation of the complex problems associated with the respective foremost synthetic and analytical model chemistry and their solutions partly accompanied and supported by theoretical results.