Fundamentals of Biocatalysis in Organic Synthesis

Modern organic synthesis demands efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly methods. Biocatalysis provides a powerful solution by utilizing nature's catalysts—enzymes—to achieve transformations traditional chemistry struggles with. By completing this course, you will gain a foundational understanding of biocatalytic principles, enabling you to identify suitable enzyme systems and reaction conditions for complex organic transformations, moving beyond traditional stoichiometric reagents. What you'll learn: * Understand the fundamental principles of enzyme kinetics, specificity, and the major classes of enzymes used in synthesis (oxidoreductases, hydrolases, lyases). * Master the concepts of stereoselectivity and regioselectivity, and how biocatalysis enables precise control over chiral molecule formation. * Apply knowledge of immobilized enzymes and whole-cell systems for practical, scalable, and cost-effective industrial applications. * Explore modern methods of enzyme engineering and directed evolution used to tailor biocatalysts for novel or challenging synthetic routes. * Practice selecting appropriate biocatalysts for common reaction types, including kinetic resolution, asymmetric reduction, and C-C bond formation. The course begins by defining key terminology and enzyme mechanisms before moving into detailed coverage of reaction types and practical considerations for implementing biocatalytic processes in the laboratory. This course is designed for absolute beginners in chemical synthesis, biochemistry, or chemical engineering who want to understand the growing field of green chemistry and biocatalysis. No prior experience with enzyme engineering or advanced organic chemistry is required. Start reading today to integrate these powerful biological tools into your synthetic chemistry toolkit.