Enzymes in Organic Solvents: the Use of Lipases and (R)-Oxynitrilase for the Preparation of Products of Biological Interest

Abstract: The use of enzymes in organic solvents has acquired a special relevance in organic synthesis, and lipases are the enzymes most commonly used in transesterication reactions. In the past few years, we have shown the utility of enzymatic aminolysis and ammonolysis reactions for the preparation of amides and for the resolution of esters and amines. The enzymatic alkoxycarbonylation reaction is of great utility in chemoselective reactions of natural products. Lipases, enzymes much less exploited in organic synthesis, have an increasing interest, especially the use of (R)-oxynitrilases for the synthesis of optically active cyanohydrins.