26 Mechanisms of reactions in solution

Abstract

In a broad and heterogeneous area such as inorganic reaction mechanisms, in any given year there are many features that may be regarded as highlights and it is likely that some of these will be the combined efforts of a number of different groups. An example this year is the concerted efforts of a number of groups investigating the mechanistic chemistry of vitamin B₁₂, and in particular the issues surrounding the reactions of the Co–C bond and together with that the role of the structure of this molecule on the mechanisms of its reactions. A dominating recurring theme in reaction mechanisms throughout this year has been the application of theoretical methods and in particular density functional theory in its various forms. This is well illustrated by the paper by Siegbahn and Haeffer on a nine-step mechanism of catalysis by non-heme Fe extradiol dioxygenase using a 70-atom chemical model (). An interesting addition to the array of techniques available to inorganic mechanisms is the combination of cryogenic continuous flow with oxygen isotope difference resonance Raman spectroscopy to study intermediates in a non-heme iron enzyme ().