Biocatalysis in Organic Synthesis

Biocatalytic reactions using enzymes or whole microbial cells are increasingly employed for organic synthesis, taking advantage of their high versatility and exquisite selectivities (chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity). Resolution of racemates and its refinements, desymmetrisation of meso- and prochiral compounds by oxidoreduction, some C-C bond forming reactions and other miscellaneous reactions will be outlined, illustrating the most characteristic aspects of environmentally friendly and yield-effective production of commodity chemicals, stereospecific building blocks or intermediates, and competitive step-replacement strategies for asymmetric syntheses.