Selective aerobic oxidation reactions using a combination of photocatalytic water oxidation and enzymatic oxyfunctionalizations

Abstract

Peroxygenases offer an attractive means to address challenges in selective oxyfunctionalization chemistry. Despite this, their application in synthetic chemistry remains challenging due to their facile inactivation by the stoichiometric oxidant H₂O₂. Often atom-inefficient peroxide generation systems are required, which show little potential for large-scale implementation. Here, we show that visible-light-driven, catalytic water oxidation can be used for in situ generation of H₂O₂ from water, rendering the peroxygenase catalytically active. In this way, the stereoselective oxyfunctionalization of hydrocarbons can be achieved by simply using the catalytic system, water and visible light.