Nitrogenases are
responsible for biological nitrogen fixation,
a crucial step in the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. These enzymes
utilize a two-component protein system and a series of iron–sulfur
clusters to perform this reaction, culminating at the FeMco active
site (M = Mo, V, Fe), which is capable of binding and reducing N2 to 2NH3. In this review, we summarize how different
spectroscopic approaches have shed light on various aspects of these
enzymes, including their structure, mechanism, alternative reactivity,
and maturation. Synthetic model chemistry and theory have also played
significant roles in developing our present understanding of these
systems and are discussed in the context of their contributions to
interpreting the nature of nitrogenases. Despite years of significant
progress, there is still much to be learned from these enzymes through
spectroscopic means, and we highlight where further spectroscopic
investigations are needed.