Iron-catalyzed olefin cis-dihydroxylation using a bio-inspired N,N, O-ligand

Nature has evolved enzymes that carry out the cis-dihydroxylation of C=C bonds in the biodegradation of arenes in the environment. These enzymes, called Rieske dioxygenases, have mononuclear iron centers coordinated to a 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad motif that has emerged as a common structural element among many nonheme iron enzymes. In contrast, olefin cis-dihydroxylation is conveniently carried out by OsO₄ and related species in synthetic procedures. To develop more environmentally benign strategies for carrying out these transformations, we have designed Ph-DPAH [(di-(2-pyridyl)methyl)benzamide], a tridentate ligand that mimics the facial N,N,O site of the mononuclear iron center in the Rieske dioxygenases. Its iron(II) complex has been found to catalyze olefin cis-dihydroxylation almost exclusively and with high H₂O₂ conversion efficiency on a wide range of substrates. and ¹⁸O labeling experiments suggest the participation of an Fe^V oxidant.