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Updated: Oct 22, 2025
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Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
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Enzymatic strategies for asymmetric synthesis
Mélanie Hall1,2
1Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz Heinrichstrasse 28 8010 Graz Austria melanie.hall@uni-graz.at.
RSC Chemical Biology
|August 30, 2021
Summary
Enzymes are increasingly vital in synthetic organic chemistry for creating chiral compounds. This review highlights diverse enzymatic strategies for asymmetric synthesis, focusing on recent advancements.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic organic chemistry
- Biocatalysis
- Asymmetric synthesis
Background:
- Enzymes are gaining momentum in synthetic organic chemistry, offering environmentally friendly and highly selective catalytic processes.
- Hydrolases have enabled enantioselective synthesis, particularly in biocatalytic kinetic resolutions.
- The field has matured, allowing for a broader application of enzymes in asymmetric synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present major enzymatic strategies for asymmetric synthesis of optically pure chiral compounds.
- To focus on reactions developed within the past decade.
- To showcase the application of diverse biocatalysts in industrial-scale processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of enzymatic strategies for asymmetric synthesis.
- Focus on stereoselective reactions with prochiral compounds (e.g., reduction, bond formation).
- Application in enantioselective replacement of enantiotopic groups and atroposelective reactions.
Main Results:
- Enzymes provide exquisite selectivity for synthesizing chiral compounds.
- Biocatalytic (dynamic) kinetic resolutions are significant applications.
- Diverse enzymes are suitable for various asymmetric transformations.
Conclusions:
- Enzymatic strategies are well-established for asymmetric synthesis.
- Recent advancements have expanded the scope of biocatalysis in chiral chemistry.
- Enzymes offer powerful tools for creating optically pure compounds efficiently and selectively.
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