Synthetic Mn(III) porphyrins as biomimetic catalysts of CYP450: Degradation of antibiotic norfloxacin in aqueous medium.

Norfloxacin (NOR) is a synthetic broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic classified as an emerging contaminant. Here, we investigate Mn(III) porphyrin-catalyzed NOR degradation using peroxides or peracids (H2O2, t-BuOOH, or Oxone®) as oxidants. We evaluate three Mn(III) porphyrins: the 1st-generation tetraphenylporphyrin and 2nd -generation porphyrins bearing halogen atoms at the ortho-positions of the porphyrin macrocycle meso-aryl groups. Experiments were carried out in aqueous medium under mild conditions. NOR degradation was 67%. Products were proposed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Oxone® was the best oxidant for NOR degradation despite its possible decomposition in the reaction medium. The second-generation Mn(III) porphyrins were more resistant than the first-generation Mn(III) porphyrin, indicating that the bulky groups introduced into the porphyrin macrocycle meso-aryl groups led to more robust catalysts. The degradation products did not present cytotoxic behavior under the employed conditions. In conclusion, Mn(III) porphyrin-catalyzed NOR degradation is a promising strategy to degrade fluoroquinolones and other pollutants.