Metalloporphyrins mimic enzymes by replicating the structure and function of natural heme proteins. For instance, cytochrome P450 enzymes contain an iron porphyrin at their active site, which is responsible for the hydroxylation of various substrates. By designing synthetic metalloporphyrins with similar coordination environments, chemists can emulate these biological processes in laboratory settings, enabling the study and application of these reactions on an industrial scale.
