Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) and derivatives of this cofactor enable a plethora of reactions in both enzyme-mediated and free-in-solution transformations. With few exceptions in each category, such...

Selective access to a targeted isomer is often critical in the synthesis of biologically active molecules. Whereas small-molecule reagents and catalysts often act with anticipated site- and stereos...

The remarkable degree of synthetic selectivity found in Nature is exemplified by the biosynthesis of paralytic shellfish toxins such as saxitoxin. The polycyclic core shared by saxitoxin and its...

Biocatalysis is becoming an increasingly impactful method in contemporary synthetic chemistry for target molecule synthesis. The selectivity imparted by enzymes has been leveraged to complete...

Generation of reactive intermediates and interception of these fleeting species under physiological conditions is a common strategy employed by Nature to build molecular complexity. However, select...

3-Hydroxyindolenines can be used to access several structural motifs that are featured in natural products and pharmaceutical compounds, yet the chemical synthesis of 3-hydroxyindolenines is compli...

Xyloketal B is a pentacyclic fungal marine natural product that has shown potential for the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and atherosclerosis. Herein, we describe the first...

Many enzyme classes require thioester electrophiles such as acyl-carrier proteins and acyl-coenzyme A substrates. For in vitro applications, these substrates can render these chemical transformations...

Achieving substrate-selectivity is a central element of nature’s approach to synthesis. By relying on the ability of a catalyst to discriminate between components in a mixture, control can be exerted...

Nature - The biosynthesis of paralytic shellfish toxins.

Small molecules that bind to voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) are promising leads in the treatment of numerous neurodegenerative diseases and pain. Nature is a highly skilled medicinal chemist...

Biocatalysts have the potential to perform reactions with exceptional selectivity and high catalytic efficiency while utilizing safe and sustainable reagents. Despite these positive attributes, the...

Controlling the selectivity of a reaction is critical for target-oriented synthesis. Accessing complementary selectivity profiles enables divergent...

Microbial enzymes that add sulfur groups to saxitoxin could help make nonaddictive drugs that relieve pain

Nature - Insights into an enzyme could yield new anaesthetics.

Class A flavin-dependent hydroxylases (FdHs) catalyze the hydroxylation of organic compounds in a site- and stereoselective manner. In stark contrast, conventional synthetic routes require environm...