Efficient O -demethylation of lignin monoaromatics using the peroxygenase activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Alix C HarlingtonKeith E ShearwinStephen G BellFiona WhelanPublished in: Chemical communications (Cambridge, England) (2022)
A crucial reaction in harnessing renewable carbon from lignin is O -demethylation. We demonstrate the selective O -demethylation of syringol and guaiacol using different cytochrome P450 enzymes. These can efficiently use hydrogen peroxide which, when compared to nicotinamide cofactor-dependent monooxygenases and synthetic methods, allows for cheap and clean O -demethylation of lignin-derived aromatics.