Our research focuses on the synthesis of copper and iron complexes that physically mimic the active site of methane monooxygenase (MMO) enzymes. Small molecule synthetic mimics were previously reported to have minimal catalytic activity relative to the enzyme. Our strategy to improve the catalytic activity of our mimic for oxidation chemistry includes a macromolecular component that is designed to encase the inorganic complex with a hydrophobic core and hydrogen bond donors in order to simulate the secondary coordination sphere of MMO. Modification of a small molecule mimic by addition of an alkene moiety provides a straightforward method for the connection to the macromolecule via thiol-ene click chemistry. We have successfully reproduced and optimized the synthesis of diiron, di-copper, and tri-copper complexes from literature and modified each with the intended alkenes. The catalytic activity of these complexes was tested for oxidation of cyclohexane, 3,5-ditertbutylcatechol, and 4-tertbuylchatechol. We are currently exploring the chemistry to merge the inorganic portion with the macromolecule.

Modification of inorganic catalysts’ ligand frameworks for connection to polymeric structures

2019 Fall National Meeting

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