Intercepting a transient non-hemic pyridine N-oxide Fe(iii) species involved in OAT reactions

In the context of bioinspired OAT catalysis, we developed a tetradentate dipyrrinpyridine ligand, a hybrid of hemic and non-hemic models. The catalytic activity of the iron(iii) derivative was investigated in the presence of iodosylbenzene. Unexpectedly, MS, EPR, Mossbauer, UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopic signatures supported by DFT calculations provide convincing evidence for the involvement of a relevant Fe-III-O-N-Py active intermediate.

Automated summary

In the context of bioinspired OAT catalysis, a new tetradentate dipyrrinpyridine ligand was developed and an unexpected active intermediate was identified in the reaction. The experimental and theoretical evidence combined to provide convincing support for the formation of the active intermediate.