Fig. 5: Proposed SOI reaction mechanism for the isomerization of styrene oxide.
From: Structural basis of the Meinwald rearrangement catalysed by styrene oxide isomerase
a,b, Mechanisms for the isomerization of (S)-styrene oxide (a) and (R)-styrene oxide (b). Y103 positions the oxygen atom of the epoxide ring optimally for the Fe(III) of haem b to act as a Lewis acid, resulting in epoxide ring-opening, carbocation formation and a stereo-specific 1,2-hydride shift.
