Oxidative catalysis by metalloporphyrin systems occupies a prominent role in the current research in the fields of chemical and biological catalysis. Our particular interest and approach has been to collect in the same volume papers dealing with both the chemical and biological aspects of the reactivity of heme systems because of the realization that a better understanding of the complementary discipline can be extremely useful for the researchers from either field. The current progress of the research on synthetic metalloporphyrin catalysts has led to the development of several systems that are able to reproduce the heme-enzyme mediated oxygenation and oxidation reactions, at least in terms of reaction types, mechanisms and often rates. These achievements have stimulated the of creating metalloporphyrin catalysts which are both ambitious project efficient and stable enough to become competitive for large-scale industrial processes. Although this project is still far from being realized, the efforts in this direction parallel those aimed at the application of heme enzymes to chemical technologies, e. g. for the mild, selective oxidation of organics or the detoxification of pollutants. Both the two approaches will be advantageous because while the enzyme systems can achieve selectivities which are probably unattainable by synthetic catalysts, the latter can be active under experimental conditions that would readily inactivate the enzymes.

This volume provides an in-depth overview of the chemistry of metalloporphyrins as oxidation catalysts in chemical and biological systems. It discusses practical techniques for the synthesis of metalloporphyrins and introduces useful methods of immobilization to improve their synthetic utility. Detailed discussions of underlying mechanistic features are provided.

Work was done for developing biomimetic oxidation catalysts. Two classes of metalloporphyrin catalysts were studied. The first class of catalysts studied were a novel series of highly substituted metalloporphyrins, the fluorinated iron dodecaphenylporphyrins. These homogeneous metalloporphyrin catalysts were screened for activity as catalysts in the oxidation of hydrocarbons by dioxygen. Results are discussed with respect to catalyst structural features. The second type of catalysts studied were heterogeneous catalysts consisting of metalloporphyrins applied to inorganic supports. Preliminary catalytic testing results with these materials are presented.

Since the classic work Metal-Catalyzed Oxidations of Organic Compounds (edited by R A Sheldon and J K Kochi, 1991), no book has been devoted to advances in the field of biomimetic oxidations, which was created nearly 18 years ago. This expanding research field is covered in this volume. All the different aspects of the modeling of oxidations catalyzed by metalloenzymes are dealt with.This invaluable book will be useful to postgraduates as well as researchers in academia and industry, and will also benefit second year university students.

The Porphyrin Handbook, Volume 19: Applications of Phthalocyanines provides information pertinent to every aspect of the chemistry, synthesis, spectroscopy, and structure of phthalocyanines. This book examines the biology and medical implications of porphyrin systems. Organized into five chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the basic photobiology of phthalocyanines, their structure-activity relationships, mechanisms of action in a variety of biological systems, and their potential applications for various medical purposes. This text then examines the type of organization of the molecules in the solid state and the intensity of the intermolecular interactions. Other chapters consider the applications of phthalocyanines as decorative and functional materials, with emphasis on properties and structures of phthalocyanines with industrial relevance. This book discusses as well the enzyme-like catalytic functions of metal complexes derivatives and their practical applications as odor-removing systems and bacterial systems based on their effective catalytic activities. This book is a valuable resource for research scientists, engineers, and clinicians.