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Discovery of an Artificial Coenzyme Molecule that Enhances the Activity of Formate Dehydrogenase, a Catalyst for Converting Carbon Dioxide into Formic Acid

This research has been featured in the following media outlets:

• June 9, 2015 The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun
• June 12, 2015 Nikkei Business Daily, The Sankei WEST (Web media)

The research group led by Professor Yutaka Amao (Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Osaka City University) has succeeded in increasing the activity of formic acid production by more than 20 times compared to using natural coenzymes, by utilizing an artificial coenzyme with a simple chemical structure called methyl viologen.

 The development of effective catalysts for converting carbon dioxide into organic molecules is one of the key elemental technologies for creating artificial photosynthesis systems that use solar energy. In this study, the activity of formate dehydrogenase—a catalyst that promotes the conversion of carbon dioxide into formic acid (used as fuel, chemical products, and energy storage media)—was successfully enhanced using an artificial coenzyme with a simple chemical structure.

To produce formic acid from carbon dioxide using formate dehydrogenase, molecules called coenzymes are required. By using the artificial coenzyme methyl viologen, the group succeeded in producing formic acid from carbon dioxide with an efficiency more than 20 times higher than that achieved with natural coenzymes. This achievement represents a significant step forward in the design and development of catalysts for the realization of future artificial photosynthesis systems that convert carbon dioxide into organic molecules.

The results of this research were published online in Chemistry Letters on Thursday, June 4, 2015 (JST).

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