Cascading g-C₃N₄ and Peroxygenases for Selective Oxyfunctionalization Reactions

Abstract

<p>Peroxygenases are very interesting catalysts for specific oxyfunctionalization chemistry. Instead of relying on complicated electron transport chains, they rely on simple hydrogen peroxide as the stoichiometric oxidant. Their poor robustness against H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> can be addressed via in situ generation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. Here we report that simple graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) is a promising photocatalyst to drive peroxygenase-catalyzed hydroxylation reactions. The system has been characterized by outlining not only its scope but also its current limitations. In particular, spatial separation of the photocatalyst from the enzyme is shown as a solution to circumvent the undesired inactivation of the biocatalyst. Overall, very promising turnover numbers of the biocatalyst of more than 60.000 have been achieved.</p>