Metal Carbonyl - Occurrence in Nature

Occurrence in Nature

In the investigation of the infrared spectrum of the Galactic Center monoxide vibrations of iron carbonyls in interstellar dust clouds were detected. Iron carbonyl clusters were also observed in Jiange H5 chondrites identified by infrared spectroscopy. Four infrared stretching frequencies were found for the terminal and bridging carbon monoxide ligands.

In the oxygen-rich atmosphere of earth metal carbonyls are subject to oxidation to the metal oxides. It is discussed whether in the reducing hydrothermal environments of the pre-biotic prehistory such complexes were formed and could have been available as catalysts for the synthesis of critical biochemical compounds such as pyruvic acid. Traces of the carbonyls of iron, nickel, and tungsten were found in the gaseous emanations from the sewage sludge of municipal treatment plants.

The hydrogenase enzymes contain CO bound to iron. Apparently the CO stabilizes low oxidation states, which facilitates the binding of hydrogen. The enzymes carbon monoxide dehydrogenase and acetyl coA synthase also are involved in bio-processing of CO. Carbon monoxide containing complexes are invoked for the toxicity of CO and signaling.