Biological enzymes and catalytic oxidation

In nature, oxidation reactions are essential for aerobic life. Energy for cells is provided by the combustion of carbohydrates and fatty acids with dioxygen. Oxidation reactions are also involved in biosynthesis, metabolism reactions, and the detoxification of harmful compounds. In several of these reactions, iron or manganese enzymes are involved. These manganese and iron enzymes have frequently been used as a source of inspiration for the development of manganese- and iron-based oxidation catalysts. 

Metalloenzymes containing non-heme iron centers are widespread in nature. Several members of this family isolated from mammals, plants, or bacteria, have now been structurally characterized (4). In addition to the crystal structures for the isolated resting states, an increasing amount of spectroscopic information has become available concerning the active sites of these iron enzymes (25-27). The non-heme iron enzymes perform a broad range of functions, but most important is their role in the activation of dioxygen for 

Selection of Important Mono- and Diiron Metalloenzymes with Catalytic Function in Oxidation Reactions 

Aromatic amino acid hydroxylases Aromatic amino acids hydroxylation 174) 

Catechol dioxygenase - intradiol cleavage Arene dihydroxylation 175) 

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