Photochemical regeneration of flavoenzymes – An Old Yellow Enzyme case-study

Direct, NAD(P)H-independent regeneration of Old Yellow Enzymes represents an interesting approach for simplified reaction schemes for the stereoselective reduction of conjugated C=C-double bonds. Simply by illuminating the reaction mixtures with blue light in the presence of sacrificial electron donors enables to circumvent the costly and...

Deazaflavins as photocatalysts for the direct reductive regeneration of flavoenzymes

Deazaflavins are potentially useful redox mediators for the direct, nicotinamide-independent regeneration of oxidoreductases. Especially the O₂-stability of their reduced forms have attracted significant interest for the regeneration of monooxygenases. In this contribution we further investigate the photochemical properties of...

Biocatalytic Oxidation Reactions: A Chemist's Perspective

Oxidation chemistry using enzymes is approaching maturity and practical applicability in organic synthesis. Oxidoreductases (enzymes catalysing redox reactions) enable chemists to perform highly selective and efficient transformations ranging from simple alcohol oxidations to stereoselective halogenations of non‐activated C−H bonds. For many of...

Cofactor-Free, Direct Photoactivation of Enoate Reductases for the Asymmetric Reduction of C=C Bonds

Enoate reductases from the family of old yellow enzymes (OYEs) can catalyze stereoselective trans-hydrogenation of activated C=C bonds. Their application is limited by the necessity for a continuous supply of redox equivalents such as nicotinamide cofactors [NAD(P)H]. Visible light-driven activation of OYEs through NAD(P)H-free, direct...