Synthetic models of copper-nitrosyl species proposed as intermediates in biological denitrification

Copper-containing nitrite reductase enzymes catalyze the reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide during denitrification, a key component of the global nitrogen cycle. Insights into the properties of proposed copper-nitrosyl intermediates have been obtained through studies of model complexes. Such complexes comprising both copper and nickel exhibit variable geometries and electronic structures that are influenced by the supporting ligands.