Recent Developments of Cascade Reactions Involving ω-Transaminases

Abstract

Enzymatic cascade reactions experience tremendous attention by cutting short conventional step-by-step synthesis in a highly efficient and elegant fashion. Focusing on ω-transaminases, this review provides an overview of different biocatalytic strategies to afford a variety of (chiral) amines employing diverse cascade systems: Cascades to shift the reaction equilibrium as well as cascades for the amination of alcohols and nonactivated C–H bonds are discussed. Cascades enable the deracemization of rac-amines, other ones involve biocatalyzed C–C bond formation and C–C bond hydrolysis. Finally, the potential of spontaneous ring closure reactions initiated by ω-transaminases is illustrated.