Work

O2 reductive activation using molecular Fe and Mn complexes: Reaction intermediates and reactivity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mimicking bio-inspired chemistry to achieve a variety of organic reactions involving oxidations or oxygen atom insertions continues to be a compelling challenge for chemists. Indeed, oxidation reactions represent a major fraction of industrial chemical processes but typically demand harsh conditions. Thus numerous research groups have attempted to reproduce metalloenzymes reactivity and in particular the manner in which the metal active site activates O 2 to obtain highly efficient and selective transformations. Various oxidizing intermediates, M-superoxo [M(OO • )], M-peroxo [M(OO − )], M-hydroperoxo [M(OOH)] or the high valent M-oxo [M(O)] have been proposed as key intermediates for biomimetic oxidation reactions. Although synthetic analogues of these intermediates have been successfully isolated, they were generally generated using hazardous chemical oxidants. In this review, we provide an overview on synthetic heme and non-heme iron and manganese oxidizing intermediates generated directly from O 2 as oxygen source for the purpose of oxidizing small organic molecules, covering the decade 2015–2025.

Source: Coordination Chemistry Reviews

DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2026.217907

Authors: Elodie Anxolabéhère-Mallart, Frédéric Banse, Claire Fave

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, Université Paris-Saclay, Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d'Orsay

Language: English

Topic: Metal-Catalyzed Oxygenation Mechanisms

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,740

Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche