Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
Enantioselective Reduction of α,β-Dehydro-α-amido Carboxylic Acid Derivatives by Ene-Reductases
Nicolas Marie1,2, Pierre Gilles3, Julien Boutet3
1ESPCI Paris, PSL , 10 rue Vauquelin, 75005Paris, France.
Abstract:
Enantioselective reduction of α,β-dehydro-α-amido carboxylic acid derivatives to optically active amido carboxylic acid derivatives has been carried out using whole-cell overexpressing ene-reductases (EREDs). The reduced products were obtained with good yields and excellent enantiomeric excesses of >99%. Among the enzymes tested, Seqenzym ene-reductase E4671 proved to be the most effective, accommodating methyl ester, free amide, and diverse N-protecting groups, as well as β-unsubstituted, β-methyl, and β-ethyl substituted substrates. Notably, the reaction is readily scalable.
Related Concept Videos
Phase I Reactions: Reductive Reactions
Preparation of Amines: Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones
Preparation of Amines: Reduction of Oximes and Nitro Compounds
Though catalytic hydrogenation can reduce nitrobenzenes, the reduction is nonselective in the presence of other functional groups. For instance, if nitrobenzene contains an aldehyde group,...
Protecting Groups for Aldehydes and Ketones: Introduction
Synthesis of α-Substituted Carbonyl Compounds: The Stork Enamine Reaction
Reactivity of Enols

