Stereospecific Oxidation of Alkanes Catalyzed by Fe2(μ-Carboxylato) Complexes, which Model Some of the Structural Features of the Active Center of Methane Monooxygenase

Binuclear μ-oxalate iron complexes (1 and 2) that model the Fe2(μ-COO) nucleus of the methane monooxygenase active center catalyze the stereospecific transfer of an oxygen atom from H2O2 to C–H bonds in alkanes. Due to the framework nature of the ligand, the binuclear structure of the iron complex is retained in the solution. These data reliably confirm the fact that the catalytic reaction occurs at a binuclear center via a mechanism with the participation of both iron atoms.