Simplest Monodentate Imidazole Stabilization of the oxy‐Tyrosinase Cu2O2 Core: Phenolate Hydroxylation through a CuIII Intermediate

Tyrosinases are ubiquitous binuclear copper enzymes that oxygenate to Cu^II₂O₂ cores bonded by three histidine Nτ‐imidazoles per Cu center. Synthetic monodentate imidazole‐bonded Cu^II₂O₂ species self‐assemble in a near quantitative manner at ?125 °C, but Nπ‐ligation has been required. Herein, we disclose the syntheses and reactivity of three Nτ‐imidazole bonded Cu^II₂O₂ species at solution temperatures of ?145 °C, which was achieved using a eutectic mixture of THF and 2‐MeTHF. The addition of anionic phenolates affords a Cu^III₂O₂ species, where the bonded phenolates hydroxylate to catecholates in high yields. Similar Cu^III₂O₂ intermediates are not observed using Nπ‐bonded Cu^II₂O₂ species, hinting that Nτ‐imidazole ligation, conserved in all characterized Ty, has functional advantage beyond active‐site flexibility. Substrate accessibility to the oxygenated Cu₂O₂ core and stabilization of a high oxidation state of the copper centers are suggested from these minimalistic models.