Living with oxos

Abstract

The theory of multiple bonding in metal oxos, which accounts for their ground state electronic structures and spectroscopic properties, predicts that an "oxo wall" separates Fe-Ru-Os and Co-Rh-Ir in the periodic table. After reviewing this work, I will discuss the roles metal oxos play in hydrocarbon oxygenation catalyzed by cytochrome P 450. Interestingly, Jay Winkler and I have found that most P450s have Trp/Tyr chains very near the heme active sites. We have suggested that uncoupled high-valent iron-oxo intermediates would be reduced by hole transfer to these chains, thereby protecting P450s from oxidative degrdn.

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