Regioselective aromatic O-demethylation with an artificial P450BM3 peroxygenase system

Several simple single- and double-mutants of cytochrome P450BM3 enzymes enabled a highly regioselective O-demethylation of aromatic ethers with H2O2 with the assistance of a dual-functional small molecule (DFSM). The DFSM-facilitated P450BM3 peroxygenase system provides an alternative, simple approach for a key step in the bioconversion of lignin compared with reported NADPH-dependent P450 monooxygenases.