Iron-porphyrin catalyzed carbene transfer reactions : an evolution from biomimetic catalysis towards chemistry-inspired non-natural reactivities of enzymes

Abstract

Bioinspired, synthetic porphyrin complexes are important catalysts in organic synthesis and play a pivotal role in efficient carbene transfer reactions. The advances in this research area stimulated recent, “chemo-inspired” developments in biocatalysis. Today, both synthetic iron complexes and enzymes play an important role to conduct carbene transfer reactions. The advances and potential developments in both research areas are discussed in this concept article.