Thiamin-diphosphate-dependent enzymes: new aspects of asymmetric C-C bond formation

Starting from a thorough investigation of mechanistic aspects of ThDP-dependent (ThDP = thiamin diphosphate) enzymes in combination with mutagenesis studies and a detailed substrate screening, new general synthetic methods have been developed based on Umpolung reactions by thiamin catalysis. A selective donor-acceptor concept was established leading to the first asymmetric cross-benzoin condensation, and a kinetic racemic resolution through C-C bond cleavage was developed. With these tools and in combination with protein engineering, we approached the synthesis of new chiral building blocks on a preparative scale. An outlook is given with respect to the potential of other ThDP-dependent enzymes as catalysts in asymmetric synthesis.