Biomimetic modeling of copper oxidase reactivity.

Bioinspired copper-model-complexes that react with O(2) provide an opportunity to probe biological reactivity at a small-molecule level of detail. Biological structural information combined with appropriate ligand design has proven sufficient to create Cu:O(2) complexes capable of external substrate oxidation. Most notable developments during the review period are the bioinspired catalysts capable of aerobic alcohol-oxidation. The extension of this oxidative reactivity to other important organic transformations beyond the scope of the inspiring system completes a modeling paradigm.