Preparation of Artificial Metalloenzymes by Insertion of Chromium(<scp>III</scp>) Schiff Base Complexes into Apomyoglobin Mutants

Abstract

Insertion of a symmetric metal complex, [CrIII(5,5′-tBu-salophen)]+ (H2salophen=N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine), into the active site of apomyoglobin is demonstrated (see picture). The metal ion and the ligand structure are very important factors that influence the binding affinity of the metal complex with the myoglobin (Mb) cavity. Semisynthetic metalloenzymes can catalyze enantioselective sulfoxidation by using the chiral protein cavity.