Application of Microorganisms and Enzymes in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Abstract

Microbial and enzymatic transformation of synthetic substrates is attracting much attention as a useful method in synthetic organic chemistry. In this article, recent developements in this field are reviewed, dividing into three major sections which include oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis reactions. Methods for increasing the selectivity of some reactions are also described. Emphasis has been placed to the formation of optically active compounds, because enzymes are able to catalyze asymmetric reactions under mild conditions.