Multistep Enzyme Catalyzed Processes 2014

An artificial ‘minipathway’ starting with oxyfunctionalization of readily available limonene to carveol followed by oxidation to the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketone via an alcohol dehydrogenase, an enoate reductase for the subsequent reduction of the double bond and concluded by a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase for the formation of the corresponding lactone is presented. This extension of the reported cascade [3] was tested in a mixed culture approach as limonene can be specifically hydroxylated by C. cellulansto carveol [4]. By this supplement a natural material can be converted to carvolactones. Additionally, we will demonstrate the variability of this approach by the selection of various substrates to depict important aspects of biocatalytic reactions such as achiral transformations, desymmetrization, and kinetic resolutions.