Chapter 4 - Catalysis by enzyme-metal combinations

Abstract

This chapter deals with catalysis by enzyme–metal combinations as the novel tool for the conversion of racemic substrates to single enantiomeric products. Catalytic transformation based on combined enzyme and metal catalysis is described as a new class of methodology for the synthesis of enantiopure compounds. This approach is particularly useful for dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) in which enzymatic resolution is coupled with metal-catalyzed racemization for the conversion of a racemic substrate to a single enantiomeric product. A wide range of substrates were converted into their respective enantiopure products under DKR and asymmetric transformation conditions. Despite the inherent complexity of enzyme–metal catalysis for ready access to enantiopure products, rapid progress has been made in the last few years. New metal catalyst systems compatible with enzymes were discovered and more importantly, the transformations were achieved at ambient temperatures. The focus in future should be directed towards expanding the horizon of substrates and finding applications in the commercial manufacture of specific targets.