New trends in organic synthesis with oxidative enzymes

Abstract

Oxidative enzymes constitute privileged catalysts in organic synthesis. Environmentally benign reaction conditions along with high selectivity are the most appealing characteristic shown by these biocatalysts in contrast to classical metal-based reagents. The present review surveys new perspectives and concepts derived from oxidative enzymatic processes, comprising oxidative C-C bond forming reactions, atroposelective oxidations, oxidative dynamic processes, interconnected reactions, cyclic deracemizations, oxidative desymmetrizations and artificial oxidative enzymes. Selected examples taken from the recent literature are discussed, highlighting relevant aspects from a synthetic point of view. Thus, application of these biocatalyzed reactions in the preparation of chiral high-added value compounds is also outlined. Finally, future perspectives for the development of novel oxidative enzymatic processes and further applications of well settled ones are presented.