Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation
Published on: May 22, 2016
Enzymatic Photodecarboxylation on Secondary and Tertiary Carboxylic Acids
Jie Zheng1, Zhuanglin Shen2, Jin-Ming Gao1
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Photoenzymatic decarboxylation of bulky secondary and tertiary carboxylic acids catalyzed by engineered Chlorella variabilis fatty acid photodecarboxylase (CvFAP) is reported. Rational design and directed evolution of wild-type CvFAP are used to improve the reactivity and expand potential applications. Moreover, engineered CvFAP can catalyze light-driven kinetic resolution of α-substituted carboxylic acid. Our work sheds light on the production of chiral building blocks and bioactive molecules from bulky carboxylic acids via the photoenzymatic way.
Related Concept Videos
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives
Reactions of Carboxylic Acids: Introduction
Preparation of Carboxylic Acids: Overview
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis

