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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Investigation and optimization of fuel production using dye-based transition-metal complexes as charge-transfer intermediates. Annual report, August 1985-April 1987

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5767275

Metalloporphyrins have special properties for photosensitizing and catalyzing solar-energy storage reactions. The fundamental understanding of these molecules also provides a unique chemical system for investigating processes controlling desired chemistry. However, the lack of fundamental relationships between reactivity and interactions of these molecules with their environment hampers efforts to design artificial photosynthetic systems. Fundamental spectroscopic studies of metalloporphyrins in fuel-producing environments are being carried out to identify the factors controlling reactivity. The research has shifted from its initial emphasis on hydrogen generation to production of methane. A main aspect involves mimicking biological methanogenesis through investigation of the enzyme, methyl reductase, its nickel-hydrocorphin (a reduced porphyrin) cofactor at the active site, and synthetic analogs of the active site. The enzyme reduces methyl groups derived from carbon dioxide or methanol using reducing equivalents from molecular hydrogen.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA). Process Research Div.
OSTI ID:
5767275
Report Number(s):
PB-88-101787/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English