Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Anaerobic Protein Purification and Kinetic Analysis via Oxygen Electrode for Studying DesB Dioxygenase Activity and Inhibition
Published on: October 3, 2018
Lewis acid improved dioxygen activation by a non-heme iron(II) complex towards tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity
Guangjian Liao1, Fuming Mei1, Zhuqi Chen1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China. gyin@hust.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Dioxygen activation and catalysis around ambient temperature is a long-standing challenge in chemistry. Inspired by the significant roles of the hydrogen bond network in dioxygen activation and catalysis by redox enzymes, this work presents a Lewis acid improved dioxygen activation by an FeII(BPMEN)(OTf)2 complex towards tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity for 3-methylindole and common olefinic CC bond oxygenation and cleavage (enzymatic Brønsted acid vs. chemical Lewis acid). It was found that the presence of a Lewis acid such as Sc3+ could substantially improve olefinic CC bond oxygenation and cleavage activity through FeII(BPMEN)(OTf)2 catalyzed dioxygen activation. Notably, a more negative ρ value in the Hammett plot of para-substituted styrene oxygenations was observed in the presence of a stronger Lewis acid, disclosing the enhanced electrophilic oxygenation capability of the putative iron(III) superoxo species through its electrostatic interaction with a stronger Lewis acid. Thereof, this work has demonstrated a new strategy in catalyst design for dioxygen activation and catalysis for olefin oxygenation, a significant process in the chemical industry.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Lewis Structures of Molecular Compounds and Polyatomic Ions
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.

