Methane is a common byproduct from the oil industry that is generally flared off. Particulate methane monooxygenases (pMMOs) are bacterial enzymes that can effectively and selectively catalyze the oxidation reaction converting methane to methanol. Our research focuses on fabricating a tri-copper complex that will be attached to a synthetic polymer in order to mimic the secondary coordination sphere of the pMMO active site. A previously reported tri-copper complex was synthesized to benchmark the reactivity of the hybrid polymer-catalyst system. The ligand framework of this complex was modified to include two alkene moieties as connection sites to the synthetic polymer. Optimization of this modified ligand synthesis, metallation, and subsequent coupling to polymer chains will provide access to the desired hybrid polymer-catalyst system. Tests of both the target system as well as the small molecule analogue will allow for comparison of activity, selectivity, and stability in catalytic oxidations of cyclohexane, adamantane, and 4-tert-butyl pyrocatechol. The small molecules can only perform oxygenations with a strong oxidant; our system will demonstrate the potential for the embedded catalysts to enable oxygenations under milder conditions.

Polymer-supported copper complexes towards mimicking particulate methane monooxygenase activity

2019 Spring National Meeting

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