Many attempts have been made to mimic the catalytic oxidative properties of the enzyme cytochrome P-450. For homogeneous systems the mechanisms of oxidation can be readily determined but proper mimicry of the protein environment is difficult to achieve. Heterogeneous mimics have been designed that use organometallic complexes encapsulated in the supercages of zeolites, which enables control of selectivity and inhibition of auto-oxidation. But these systems do not show any mechanistic analogy with the enzymatic process, and the oxidation rates tend to be low. Here we report a composite catalytic system that achieves realistic mimicry of cytochrome P-450 as well as catalytic turnover rates that make the system industrially viable. Our catalyst incorporates iron phthalocyanine complexes encapsulated in crystals of zeolite Y, which are in turn embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane membrane. The polymer acts as a mimic of the phospholipid membrane in which cytochrome P-450 resides, acting as an interface between two immiscible phases and avoiding the need for solvents or phase-transfer agents. This system oxidizes alkanes at room temperature at rates comparable to those of the enzyme. The observation of a large kinetic isotope effect and the preferential oxidation of tertiary C-H bonds suggest close mechanistic similarities to the enzymatic process.

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