The Thermochemistry of Biological Nitrogen Fixation

Abstract

Using standard thermodynamic data it is shown that tho oxidation of glucose by nitrogen to give carben dioxide and ammonia is all ovel'a.ll maction that involves a substantial evolution of heat and deel'easfl in ii'ee elH'rgy. 'I'his is not in a(lCOrdallce with literature statements that, biological nitrogen fixation is onrlothormie. In tho concluding section a Frost diagram is used to sun'oy the thcrrnodynamie data of oxidation l'C'adions related to nitrogen fixation.