Iron Enzymes and Models

Abstract

In recent years, iron complexes of designed ligands have been synthesized as mimics of the active sites of the various non‐heme iron enzymes. The reactions of these model complexes have been studied to establish the mechanisms of the enzymatic reactions as well as the identities of the intermediates involved in the biocatalytic processes. The ultimate goal in these endeavors is to isolate functional mimics that could be employed in biomimetic catalysis under mild conditions. This review provides key references to the burgeoning literature on the results of research performed by various groups in the area of oxygen activation, oxygenation of organic substrates, amide hydrolysis, and other useful chemical transformations. Examples of good structural and functional models have been included along with brief descriptions of the enzymes. The role of the coordination spheres of the iron centers and the nature of the key iron‐peroxo and/or hypervalent iron‐oxo intermediates have been discussed. Results of the attempted catalysis by the functional model complexes have also been discussed to highlight the challenge involved in bio‐inspired catalysis as well as the success of the modeling work completed so far.