2 Synthetic methods Part (iii) Biocatalysis and enzymes in organic synthesis

Abstract

This report is written as an update to the last section on biocatalysis and covers 2002. As before, reaction types catalysed by particular enzymes are used as subheadings and are intended to be illustrative rather than strictly rigorous—strategies used for one class are quite clearly applicable to many others. As before it is my intention that the focus of this report be novel chemistry, and so a comprehensive cataloguing of kinetic resolutions and regioselective functionalizations has not been included, and selected examples are intended to illustrate novel approaches or aspects: this report attempts to place an emphasis on application to novel substrates or on striking outcomes. Other good reviews have also covered parts of this period including reviews on the biotransformations of alkaloids and the use of biocatalysis as applied to the preparation of pharmaceuticals. More details of particular biotransformations can be found in some excellent specialized reviews that have appeared and these have been highlighted at the start of the relevant sections of this report.