Biodegradation pathway for α,β-unsaturated haloesters

Kurt Faber and colleagues from the Unviersity of Graz report the reductive dehalogenation of  β-haloacrylic ester derivatives using members of the ‘Old Yellow Enzyme’ family of flavoproteins in this HOT Catalysis Science & Technology communication.  They have combined the ‘reductive activity of ene-reductases with the spontaneous β-elimination of hydohalous acid from the unstable (saturated) intermediates’ in this biodegradation pathway.  Such work is important for its application to the disposal of organic halogenated materials that have negative effects on the environment.

This is another fantastic article that is due to be included in our upcoming Biocatalysis themed issue.  Download the communication today – it’s free

Reductive dehalogenation of β-haloacrylic ester derivatives mediated by ene-reductases
Gábor Tasnádi,  Christoph K. Winkler,  Dorina Clay,  Mélanie Hall and Kurt Faber
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY20079A

You might also find the group’s previous Dalton Transactions paper interesting:

Bioreduction of α-methylcinnamaldehyde derivatives: chemo-enzymatic asymmetric synthesis of Lilial™ and Helional™
Clemens Stueckler, Nicole J. Mueller, Christoph K. Winkler, Silvia M. Glueck, Karl Gruber, Georg Steinkellner and Kurt Faber
Dalton Trans., 2010, 39, 8472-8476
DOI: 10.1039/C002971H
From themed issue Bridging the gap in catalysis via multidisciplinary approaches

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