Aldol reaction enzymatic alternative

N-Acetylneuraminic acid aldolase catalyzes the reversible aldol condensation of pyruvate (23) and N-acetylmannosamine (22 ManNAc) to form N-acetylneuraminic acid (24 NeuAc N-acetyl-5-amino-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycerogalacto-2-nonulopyronic acid Scheme 6).80-83 In vivo the enzyme has a catabolic function and the equilibrium for this reaction is near unity the presence of excess pyruvate can shift this equilibrium. NeuAc and other derivatives of neuraminic acid are termed sialic acids. These compounds are found at the termini of mammalian glycoconjugates and play an important role in cellular recognition.84-89 The production of analogs of NeuAc is a point of great interest to synthetic and medicinal chemists. The enzymatic approach has not been fully explored but it may be a practical alternative to the chemical synthesis of certain sialic acids.89... 

Numerous types of basic heterogeneous catalysts, such as alkahne earth metal oxide, anion exchange resins and alkali metal compounds supported on alumina or zeolite can catalyze various chemical reactions such as isomerization, aldol, Michael, and Knoevenagel condensation, oxidation and transesterification [1], Today considerable attention is devoted to the production of biodiesel (FAMEs) as an alternative for petroleum-derived diesel fuel. Biodiesel is synthesized by direct transesterification of vegetable oil or animal fat with a short-chain alcohol, viz. methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol in presence of an acid, base or enzymatic catalyst [2], Considering the advantages of solid base catalysts, for easy separation and recovery, reduced corrosion and environmental acceptance [1], many studies have been conducted on basic heterogeneous catalysts development for biodiesel production [3-13],... 

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