Oxidizing intermediates in P450 catalysis: a case for multiple oxidants

Cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) catalysis involves the oxygenation of organic compounds via a series of catalytic intermediates, namely, the ferric-peroxo, ferric-hydroperoxo, Compound I (Cpd I) and FeIII-(H2O2) intermediates. Now that the structures of P450 enzymes have been well established, a major focus of current research in the P450 area has been unraveling the intimate details and activities of these reactive intermediates. The general consensus is that the Cpd I intermediate is the most reactive species in the reaction cycle, especially when the reaction involves hydrocarbon hydroxylation. Cpd I has recently been characterized experimentally. Other than Cpd I, there is a multitude of evidence, both experimental as well as theoretical, supporting the involvement of other intermediates in various types of oxidation reactions. The involvement of these multiple oxidants has been experimentally demonstrated using P450 active-site mutants in epoxidation, heteroatom oxidation and dealkylation reactions. In this chapter, we will review the P450 reaction cycle and each of the reactive intermediates to discuss their role in oxidation reactions.