Elucidating the Reaction Pathway of Decarboxylation-Assisted Olefination Catalyzed by a Mononuclear Non-Heme Iron Enzyme

Installation of olefins into molecules is a key transformation in organic synthesis. The recently discovered decarboxylation-assisted olefination in the biosynthesis of rhabduscin by a mononuclear non-heme iron enzyme (P.IsnB) represents a novel approach in olefin construction. This method is commonly employed in natural product biosynthesis. Herein, we demonstrate that a ferryl intermediate is used for C–H activation at the benzylic position of the substrate. We further establish that P.IsnB reactivity can be switched from olefination to hydroxylation using electron-withdrawing groups appended on the phenyl moiety of the analogues. These experimental observations imply that a pathway involving an initial C–H activation followed by a benzylic carbocation species or by electron transfer coupled β-scission is likely utilized to complete C═C bond formation.