ortho-Hydroxylation of 4-tert-butylphenol by nonheme iron(iii) complexes as a functional model reaction for tyrosine hydroxylase

Abstract

Hydroxylation of 4-tert-butylphenol to 4-tert-butylcatechol is performed by a catecholatoiron(III) complex–hydroquinone–O ₂ system which mimicks the roles of Fe ²⁺ and Fe ³⁺ in tyrosine hydroxylase; the ortho-hydroxylation of phenols by iron–oxygen active species is suggested.