Bioinspired nonheme iron(II)-hydroxyethylphosphonate model complexes relevant to 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase (HEPD).

Three Fe(II) complexes containing N4-donor ligands and ethyl(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)phosphonate as a co-ligand are reported as synthetic models of 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase (HEPD). Depending on the supporting ligand, the co-ligand either acts as a bridge or exhibits bidentate coordination. The properties of the complexes provide insights into the development of functional models of HEPD.