Celebrating 20 Years of <i>SYNLETT</i> - Special Account Onthe Merits of Biocatalysis and the Impact of Arene <i>cis</i>-Dihydrodiolson Enantioselective Synthesis

Abstract

This account is a tribute to Professor David Gibson in recognition of his discovery of enzymatic dihydroxylation of aromatic compounds four decades ago. Here are highlighted some of the milestones in microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and synthetic organic chemistry connected with this unique reaction. Gibson's discovery greatly contributed to advancing biocatalysis as a discipline with major impact on synthesis of optically pure compounds. Personal recollections of several chemists who have embraced this technology in their own work, along with the authors' recollections of the early days of research involving the cis-dihydrodiols, are provided as Notes at the end of the article.