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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
omega-Transaminases for the synthesis of non-racemic alpha-chiral primary amines
Dominik Koszelewski1, Katharina Tauber, Kurt Faber
1Department of Chemistry, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, A-8010 Graz, Austria.
Abstract:
Optically pure amines are highly valuable products or key intermediates for a vast number of bioactive compounds; however, efficient methods for their preparation are rare. omega-Transaminases (TAs) can be applied either for the kinetic resolution of racemic amines or for the asymmetric synthesis of amines from the corresponding ketones. The latter process is more advantageous because it leads to 100% product, and is therefore a major focus of this review. This review summarizes various methodologies for transamination reactions, and provides an overview of omega-TAs that have the potential to be used for the preparation of a broad spectrum of alpha-chiral amines. Recent methodological developments as well as some recently identified novel omega-TAs warrant an update on this topic.
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