Biomimetic hydroxylation of saturated carbons with artificial cytochrome P-450 enzymes—liberating chemistry from the tyranny of functional groups

Five mimics of cytochrome P-450 have been prepared and examined as catalysts for the specific hydroxylation of steroids. Reactions occur dictated by the geometries of the complexes, overcoming the intrinsic reactivity of a carbon–carbon double bond and of a secondary carbinol group. In some cases as many as 3000 catalytic turnovers are observed.