A Retrosynthesis Approach for Biocatalysis in Organic Synthesis

For the planning of an organic synthesis route, the disconnection approach guided by retrosynthetic analysis of possible intermediates and the chemical reactions involved, back to ready available starting materials, is well established. In contrast, such concepts just get developed for biocatalytic routes. In this Review we highlight functional group interconversions catalyzed by enzymes. The article is organized rather by chemical bonds formed-exemplified for C-N, C-O- and C-C-bonds-and not by enzyme classes, covering a broad range of reactions to incorporate the desired functionality in the target molecule. Furthermore, the successful use of biocatalysts, also in combination with chemical steps, is exemplified for the synthesis of various drugs and advanced pharmaceutical intermediates such as Crispine A, Sitagliptin and Atorvastatin. This Review also provides some basic guidelines to choose the most appropriate enzyme for a targeted reaction keeping in mind aspects like commercial availability, cofactor-requirement, solvent tolerance, use of isolated enzymes or whole cell recombinant microorganisms aiming to assist organic chemists in the use of enzymes for synthetic applications.