BASF develops new class of enzymes for chiral intermediates

The world's leading chemical company, Germany-headquartered BASF, has developed a new class of enzymes that can be utilized for the industrial production of chiral intermediates: these specifically modified biocatalysts, which the companies has patented, are called enoate reductases. The asymmetric bioreactions catalyzed by enoate reductases take place at low temperatures and standard pressure and, by being highly selective, yield particularly high-quality products. This allows a very efficient process for producing chemically-sophisticated chiral molecules of outstanding optical purity, the firm said. Examples include esters and aldehydes, which serve as starting materials in the production of active pharmaceutical and agrochemical ingredients.

Enoate reductases complement BASF's portfolio of enzymes, to date comprised of dehydrogenases, nitrilases and lipases. They are obtained from various organisms, for example yeasts like beer yeast, and from plants such as tomato and tobacco. Chiral molecules are vital in the production of pharmaceuticals and crop protectants, according to BASF.