Lewis acid improved dioxygen activation by a non-heme iron(ii) complex towards tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity for olefin oxygenation

Dioxygen activation and catalysis around ambient temperature is a long-standing challenge in chemistry. Inspired by the significant roles of the hydrogen bond network in dioxygen activation and catalysis by redox enzymes, this work presents a Lewis acid improved dioxygen activation by an Fe-II(BPMEN)(OTf)(2) complex towards tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity for 3-methylindole and common olefinic CC ? bond oxygenation and cleavage (enzymatic Br & oslash;nsted acid vs. chemical Lewis acid). It was found that the presence of a Lewis acid such as Sc3+ could substantially improve olefinic CC ? bond oxygenation and cleavage activity through Fe-II(BPMEN)(OTf)(2) catalyzed dioxygen activation. Notably, a more negative rho value in the Hammett plot of para-substituted styrene oxygenations was observed in the presence of a stronger Lewis acid, disclosing the enhanced electrophilic oxygenation capability of the putative iron(III) superoxo species through its electrostatic interaction with a stronger Lewis acid. Thereof, this work has demonstrated a new strategy in catalyst design for dioxygen activation and catalysis for olefin oxygenation, a significant process in the chemical industry.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates an improved dioxygen activation by introducing Lewis acid into Fe-II(BPMEN)(OTf)(2) complex, leading to successful catalytic reactions of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and olefinic CC ? bond oxygenation. The results reveal the enhanced electrophilic oxygenation capability of the putative iron(III) superoxo species through electrostatic interaction with Lewis acid.