Aromatic hydroxylation by H2O2 and O2 catalyzed by a μ-oxo diiron(III) complex

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.199623531

An excellent functionalized enzyme model for the active site of methane monooxygenase and ribonucleotide reductase is represented by the μ-acetato- and μ-oxo-bridged diiron complex 1. Reaction with H₂O₂ or O₂ in the presence of ascorbate leads to hydroxylation of one phenyl ring to a phenol. This then coordinates to the metal center with formation of a mononuclear complex.