Group Transfer to an Aliphatic Bond: A Biomimetic Study Inspired by Nonheme Iron Halogenases

In this work, we predict a group-transfer reaction to an aliphatic substrate on a biomimetic nonheme iron center based on the structural and functional properties of nonheme iron halogenases. Transferring groups other than halogens to C–H bonds on the same catalytic center would improve the versatility and applicability of nonheme iron halogenases and enhance their use in biotechnology; however, few studies have been reported on this matter. Furthermore, very few biomimetic models are known that are able to transfer halogens or other groups to aliphatic C–H bonds. To gain insight into group transfer to an aliphatic C–H bond, we performed a detailed computational study on a biomimetic nonheme iron complex and studied the reactivity patterns with a model substrate (ethylbenzene). In particular, we investigated the reaction mechanisms of [FeIV(O)(TPA)X]+, TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethy1)amine, and X = Cl, NO2, N3 with ethylbenzene leading to 1-phenylethanol and 1-phenyl-1-X-ethane products. Interestingly, we find...