Electrochemical Reduction of FAD for NSMOA‐Catalyzed Epoxidation Reactions

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Styrene monooxygenase (SMO) is a two‐component flavoprotein composed of an NADH‐dependent flavin‐reductase (SMOB) and FAD‐dependent epoxidase (NSMOA). The SMO‐catalyzed enantioselective epoxidation of styrene has potential applications in green‐chemical aqueous phase synthesis and environmental remediation. In the present work, we investigate the possibility of eliminating the NADH‐dependence of this two‐component biocatalyst by developing an electrochemical system that can be substituted for SMOB as the source of reduced FAD as the rate‐limiting step in the styrene epoxidation reaction.In this work, a miniature spectroelectrochemical cell was constructed and interfaced with a potentiostat that enabled the study of electrode‐mediated flavin‐reduction reactions by cyclic voltammetry and diode array‐based UV‐vis spectroscopy under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Different results were obtained depending on the composition of the working electrode in terms of the kinetics of FAD desorption from the electrode surface and the applied electrical potential required to achieve FAD reduction. Glassy carbon and graphene‐based working electrodes are observed to readily establish and remain in electrical communication with FAD, but the kinetics of FAD reduction in bulk solution is limited by the slow kinetics of FAD desorption from the surface of these working electrodes. Under aerobic conditions, oxygen diffuses within and reacts with reduced FAD adsorbed to the electrode surface in a reaction which is rapid compared with the kinetics of the desorption of reduced FAD. The implementation of more hydrophilic working electrodes prepared as composites of graphene and polyethylene glycol and the inclusion of electron carriers with oxidation reduction‐potentials in the range of FAD significantly improves the rate FAD desorption and reduction in bulk solution where the rapid kinetics of association of reduced FAD to the epoxidase (NSMOA) can efficiently out compete undesirable side reactions of reduced FAD with dissolved oxygen. In this work, we address the central challenges associated with the electrochemical reduction preparation and transmission of reduced FAD to styrene monooxygenase and report how this can be achieved efficiently by using a combination of cyclic voltammetry, electron mediators and an electrode material with rapid FAD desorption characteristics.Support or Funding InformationThis research is founded by NIH MBRS‐RISE (R25‐GM059298).Cyclic voltammetry of FAD at the surface of a glassy carbon electrode and saturation plot of the flavin interaction at the electrode surface.Figure 1Absorbance spectra recording the reduction of FAD (Left) and consumption of styrene (right) by UV‐Vis spectroscopy.Figure 2