Metal coordination-directed hydroxylation of steroids with a novel artificial P-450 catalyst

A novel catalyst has been synthesized in which a manganese-porphyrin unit is linked to two 2,2 '-bipyridyl groups and two pentafluorophenyl groups in trans fashion on its four meso positions. Relative to a previous catalyst in which the manganese-porphyrin had four 2,2 '-bipyridyl groups, the new catalyst, in the presence of Cu2+ ions as coordinating linkers, catalyzes the oxidation of a steroid substrate with much better regioselectivity and higher turnover numbers.