# MIT Chem papers explain why molybdenum nitrogenases bind N2 more efficiently

_Sunday, August 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![MIT Chem papers explain why molybdenum nitrogenases bind N2 more efficiently — Primary](https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/2026/why-some-nitrogen-proc.jpg)

Two MIT studies in the journal Chem examine why molybdenum-containing nitrogenases convert nitrogen gas to ammonia more efficiently than other metal classes, phys.org reported. Nitrogenases that fix atmospheric N2 vary by metal content; molybdenum versions are the most efficient, and the papers probe the iron-sulfur cofactor chemistry behind that gap.

In one paper, researchers swapped metals into synthetic iron-sulfur clusters and measured nitrogen binding. Only cofactors with a large metal atom such as molybdenum or tungsten strongly bound N2; smaller metals including vanadium, chromium, or iron did not and favored other reactions. A second paper found molybdenum doping made it easier for neighboring iron centers to donate electrons through back-bonding, a step needed to reduce difficult substrates related to N2.

The work, with DOIs 10.1016/j.chempr.2026.103133 and 10.1016/j.chempr.2026.103134, is framed as guidance for engineered enzymes or synthetic catalysts that could produce ammonia with less reliance on industrial fertilizer chemistry.

## Sources

- [phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-07-nitrogen-enzymes-efficient.html)

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Retrieved: 2026-08-02T23:02:21.827Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)