Molecular flavin catalysts for C-H functionalisation and derivatisation of dehydroamino acids.

In nature, the isoalloxazine heterocycle of flavin cofactors undergoes reversible covalent bond formation with a variety of different reaction partners. These intermediates play a crucial role as the signalling states and in selective catalysis reactions. In the organic laboratory, covalent adducts with a new carbon-carbon bond have been observed with photochemically excited flavins but have, so far, only been regarded as dead-end side products.