Chapter 1
Introduction and Background Information
1.1 Introduction
Exponents of classical organic chemistry will probably hesitate to consider a
biochemical solution for one of their synthetic problems due to the fact, that
biological systems would have to be handled. Where the growth and maintenance
of whole microorganisms is concerned, such hesitation is probably justified. In
order to save endless frustrations, close collaboration with a microbiologist or a
biochemist is highly recommended to set up fermentation systems [1, 2]. On the
other hand, isolated enzymes or enzyme preparations are available in increasing
numbers from commercial sources, that can be handled like any other chemical
catalyst.
1 In addition, modern methods of molecular biology became simple and
reliable enough to be operated by any organic chemist with a minimal background
in biosciences. Hence, the cloning and overexpression of a desired enzyme is
nowadays feasible within a short time and at modest cost, in particular when it is
derived from bacterial sources. Due to the enormous complexity of biochemical
reactions compared to the repertoire of classical organic reactions, many methods
described in this book have a strong empirical aspect. This ‘black box’ approach
may not entirely satisfy the scientific purists, but as organic chemists tend to be
pragmatists, they accept that the understanding of a biochemical reaction mechanism is not a conditio sine qua non for the success of a biotransformation. After all,
the exact structure of a Grignard-reagent is still unknown although it’s an indispensable reagent for organic synthesis. Consequently, a lack of detailed understanding of a biochemical reaction should never deter us from using it, if its
usefulness has been established.
Worldwide, about 85–90% of all chemical processes are performed catalytic
[3, 4], leading to annual sales of chemicals around 3500 billion US$ [5]. In this
context, biocatalytic methods, which stand for the application of Nature’s toolset
1 For a list of enzyme suppliers see the appendix (Chap. 5).
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
K. Faber, Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-61590-5_1
1
Introduction and Background Information
1.1 Introduction
Exponents of classical organic chemistry will probably hesitate to consider a
biochemical solution for one of their synthetic problems due to the fact, that
biological systems would have to be handled. Where the growth and maintenance
of whole microorganisms is concerned, such hesitation is probably justified. In
order to save endless frustrations, close collaboration with a microbiologist or a
biochemist is highly recommended to set up fermentation systems [1, 2]. On the
other hand, isolated enzymes or enzyme preparations are available in increasing
numbers from commercial sources, that can be handled like any other chemical
catalyst.
1 In addition, modern methods of molecular biology became simple and
reliable enough to be operated by any organic chemist with a minimal background
in biosciences. Hence, the cloning and overexpression of a desired enzyme is
nowadays feasible within a short time and at modest cost, in particular when it is
derived from bacterial sources. Due to the enormous complexity of biochemical
reactions compared to the repertoire of classical organic reactions, many methods
described in this book have a strong empirical aspect. This ‘black box’ approach
may not entirely satisfy the scientific purists, but as organic chemists tend to be
pragmatists, they accept that the understanding of a biochemical reaction mechanism is not a conditio sine qua non for the success of a biotransformation. After all,
the exact structure of a Grignard-reagent is still unknown although it’s an indispensable reagent for organic synthesis. Consequently, a lack of detailed understanding of a biochemical reaction should never deter us from using it, if its
usefulness has been established.
Worldwide, about 85–90% of all chemical processes are performed catalytic
[3, 4], leading to annual sales of chemicals around 3500 billion US$ [5]. In this
context, biocatalytic methods, which stand for the application of Nature’s toolset
1 For a list of enzyme suppliers see the appendix (Chap. 5).
© Springer International Publishing AG 2018
K. Faber, Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-61590-5_1
1