Impact of the corrin framework of vitamin B12 on the electrochemical carbon-skeleton rearrangement in comparison to an imine/oxime planar ligand; tuning selectivity in 1,2-migration of a functional group by controlling electrolysis potential

Learning from B12 enzymes: biomimetic and bioinspired catalysts for eco-friendly organic synthesis

Cobalamins (B₁₂) play various important roles in vivo. Most B₁₂-dependent enzymes are divided into three main subfamilies: adenosylcobalamin-dependent isomerases, methylcobalamin-dependent methyltransferases, and dehalogenases. Mimicking these B₁₂ enzyme functions under non-enzymatic conditions offers good understanding of their elaborate reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, bio-inspiration offers a new approach to catalytic design for green and eco-friendly molecular transformations. As part of a study based on vitamin B₁₂ derivatives including heptamethyl cobyrinate perchlorate, we describe biomimetic and bioinspired catalytic reactions with B₁₂ enzyme functions. The reactions are classified according to the corresponding three B₁₂ enzyme subfamilies, with a focus on our recent development on electrochemical and photochemical catalytic systems. Other important reactions are also described, with a focus on radical-involved reactions in terms of organic synthesis.