The first synthetic compounds which possess the key features of the active site of the iron-containing lipoxygenase enzymes have been prepared. These include the organic ligand 1 and several transition metal complexes, such as 2. These compounds may serve as catalysts for selective hydrocarbon hydroperoxidation reactions, currently the exclusive domain of the enzymes. H N
OH
N
H N N
N HN 1
O OH
2
