The Synthesis of Chiral ??Lactones by Merging Decatungstate Photocatalysis with Biocatalysis

The implementation of light-driven catalytic processes in biocatalysis opens a golden window opportunities. We hereby report the merging photocatalytic C?C bond formation with enzymatic asymmetric reduction for direct conversion simple aldehydes and acrylates or unsaturated carboxylic acids into chiral ?-lactones. Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) is employed as photocatalyst to trigger hydroacylation starting olefins, yielding corresponding keto esters/acids. Subsequently, an alcohol dehydrogenase converts intermediate alcohol, which undergoes lactonization desired ?-lactone. photochemoenzymatic synthesis aliphatic aromatic ?-lactones was thereby achieved up >99 % ee yield. This highlights power building molecular complexity by photocatalysis access high-value added compounds from simple, cheap largely available materials.