Substrate studies functional group oxidation

The metabolism of xenobiotics in higher plants has been studied extensively over the last 20 years. In common plant species such as corn, it is frequently possible to predict the conjugation reactions that may be utilized in the initial phases of metabolism of a new xenobiotic. In less commonly studied species, predictions are more uncertain and exotic metabolites sire occaslonaly formed. In those cases where phase I oxidative reactions are likely, it is difficult to predict the course of metabolism because phase I oxidation reactions in plants are frequently very substrate and species specific. Phase I oxidative reactions have a profound effect on ensuing conjugation reactlcxis. The presence of multiple functional groups on a xenobiotic also Increases the uncertainty of the route of metabolism likely to be followed in a particular species. 

To study the selectivity for alcohol oxidation in the presence of other functional groups, allylic alcohols are the substrates of choice since they can undergo a variety of different reactions on each functional group and in addition they can interact with each other undergoing hydrogen rearrangement (Scheme 12.10). 

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