Enzyme Catalysis of Synthesis Reactions in Non-Aqueous Solvents by Reversal of Nominally Hydrolytic Reactions.

摘要

This project is an extension of an effort to develop new methods of chemical synthesis by using hydrolytic enzymes to catalyze condensations ,the reverse of usual hydrolysis reactions. In conventional aqueous media the thermodynamic equilibrium of hydrolytic reactions generally lies far in the direction of hydrolysis,due at least in part to the presence of water not only as solvent but also as a reactant in very high concentration. The reversibility of several hydrolytic enzymes has been experimentally demonstrated,and all are at least theoretically reversible. The question of whether such reactions can be reversed to a degree practical as an alternative synthesis process,is being investigated. Compared to conventional biosynthetic processes,this would have the advantage of eliminating the requirement for expensive and labile cofactors and high energy compounds,and more complex series of biosynthetic enzymes.