Nature's hydrides: rapid reduction of halocarbons by folate model compounds

Halocarbons R-X are reduced to hydrocarbons R-H by folate model compounds under biomimetic conditions. The reactions correspond to a halide-hydride exchange with the methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHF) models acting as hydride donors. The MTHF models are also functional equivalents of dehalohydrogenases but, unlike these enzymes, do not require a metal cofactor. The reactions suggest that halocarbons have the potential to act as endocrinological …