New insight into reaction of iron(III)-peroxide adduct with alkanes: An alternative model for cytochrome P-450 and methane monooxygenase

A new mechanism for alkane functionalization by iron(III)-peroxide adducts was proposed, and the importance of electrophilic nature of the metal-peroxide adduct with η¹-coordination mode was emphasized. This idea suggests that formation of high-valent iron-oxo species occurs most likely when the metal-peroxide intermediate is activated through electronic interaction with both the peripheral organic group and substrate; the latter two act as an electron donor to the peroxide adduct.