Application of electrochemistry for P450-catalyzed reactions.

Publisher Summary The heme proteins called P450 catalyze the metabolism of variety of different chemicals. Many of these are oxidation reactions where P450s function as mixed function oxidases. The oxygen chemistry associated with these reactions permits the introduction of an atom of molecular oxygen in a regio- and stereo-specific manner. P450s are excellent candidates as catalysts for the synthesis of high-value speciality chemicals that are difficult to synthesize by conventional chemical oxidation techniques. In addition to molecular oxygen and the chemical substrate to be metabolized, P450s require a source of electrons (NADPH) and an electron transport protein(s) for the transfer of two electrons (in sequence) from NADPH to the hemeprotein. The use of NADPH as a source of electrons serves as an economic limitation for designing reaction systems that require large-scale incubations and may operate for extended time periods. Electrochemical method for a number of P450-catalyzed reactions is used. The results summarized in the chapter show the applicability of the method for a variety of reactions catalyzed by different P450s. The use of bulk electrolysis to drive a P450-catalyzed reaction, in place of NADPH, permits the construction of reactor systems using P450s as catalysts.