Biohybrid catalysts for sequential one-pot reactions based on an engineered transmembrane protein

Abstract

A one-pot cascade reaction sequence to obtain 1,2-diarylethanes from styrenes was developed. The cascade reaction comprises an olefin cross metathesis and a hydrogenation step with two biohybrid catalysts. One biohybrid catalyst is based on the engineered transmembrane protein FhuA harboring a Grubbs–Hoveyda-type ruthenium carbene complex and the other one harbors a rhodium(I) complex. Both active sites are covalently anchored via a modified N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC).