Mo/S Chemistry and Its Importance in Enzymatic Catalysis

Molybdenum is an important trace element in biology and is found in a multitude of redox active enzymes as well as in the N2 reducing nitrogenases. In nature molybdenum occurs mainly as molybdenite, MoS2, wulfenite, PbMoO4 and as soluble salts of MoO42- in the sea. The adaptation of Mo by bacteria, plants and animals as a metal of choice at first appears paradoxical given the perceived rarity of the element. The paradox is not there however if one realizes that in fact Mo is one of the more abundant elements on the planet and constitutes the most abundant redox active transition element in the oceans1.