Biomimetic chemistry of hemeproteins

Hemeproteins play important physiological roles for an oxygen metabolism in living organisms. Their functions are divided to three main groups, i) hemoglobins, myoglobins and the cytochromes which function by transporting and storing dioxygen and electrons; ii) catalase and peroxidases which are activated by hydrogen peroxide, iii) cytochrome oxidase and cytochrome P450 both of which bind dioxygen and use the dioxygen as an electron sink or by partially reducting the dioxygen to make a powerful oxidizing agent. The hemeproteins included to group ii) have been established to produce a reaction intermediate, oxo-ferry (Fe(IV] pi-cation radical, during the catalytic cycle. Recent model studies to mimic cytochrome P450 catalyzed-reaction have shown that the intermediate retains an activated oxygen and functions as a powerful oxidizing agent in the monoxygenase reaction. In this article, the properties of the intermediate and the role in cytochrome P450 monoxygenase reaction is summarized.