A two-state reactivity model explains unusual kinetic isotope effect patterns in C-H bond cleavage by nonheme oxoiron(IV) complexes.

It's in the bond: The cleavage of C-H bonds by two related oxoiron(IV) complexes shows a range of kinetic isotope effect (KIE) values that exhibit an unusual dependence on the C-H bond strength. Large nonclassical KIEs are observed for bond strengths below 93 kcal mol(-1), while semiclassical values are found above this value (see graph, DHA = 9,10-dihydroanthracene). This nonintuitive behavior can be rationalized by invoking a two-state reactivity model.