The use of enzymes in organic synthesis is now commonly accepted. The earlier reluctance that these sensitive bioreagents would not withstand the reaction conditions normally employed in organic synthesis has fainted. The organic chemists amazingly quickly learned how to adjust the experimental conditions of synthetic operations allowing the fruitful use of enzymes. In addition, it was shown that enzymes can be used in organic solvents as well. Furthermore, many new methodologies have been developed for the directed use of enzymes in synthetic conversions. Many useful reviews on the use of enzymes in organic syntheis have appeared in recent years and in fact, enzymes are now common synthetic tools in the hands of organic chemists. In this chapter various examples of the strategic use of enzymes in solving synthetic problems are presented. The main focus will be on the production of optically active materials using enzyme-mediated kinetic resolution of racemic compounds. However, it will also be shown that enzymes can successfully be used in solving seemingly simple synthetic problems, such as the chemical differentiation between two isomeric compounds. The highest benefit of enzymes can be achieved when combined with other synthetic methodology. Several examples of such synthetic strategies will be presented.
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