Application of enzyme- and microorganism-catalyzed reactions to organic synthesis

Three topics of recent achievements in the application of enzyme- and micro organism-catalyzed reactions to organic synthesis are focused. 1) Asymmetri c synthesis and enantiomeric resolution, such as yeast-catalyzed asymmetric reduction of a carbonyl group and hydrolytic enzyme - catalyzed enantiosel ective hydrolysis of esters and transesterification are described. Special emphasis is laid on the enzyme-catalyzed preparation of alpha-hydroxy acids in enantiomerically enriched forms. Examples of enzyme-catalyzed asymmetri c C-C bond formation are shortly commented. 2) The advantage of enzymatic h ydrolysis of nitriles, amides, and esters are introduced, as the examples o f the transformation of functional groups under mild condition. 3) The comp lementary use of chemical and enzymatic reaction in the total scheme is sho wn, in our synthesis of pyrenophorin and N-glycolylneuraminic acid.