Biocatalysis industrial green chemistry

Ran, N., Zhao, T., Chen, Z. and Tao, J. (2008) Recent applications of biocatalysis in developing green chemistry for chemical synthesis at industrial scale. Green Chemistry, 10, 361-372. 

Roberts, N. J., Lye, G. J. Application of room temperature ionic liquids in biocatalysis Opportunities and challenges. In Ionic Liquids Industrial Applications for Green Chemistry, Rogers, R. D., Sheldon, K. R. Eds., American Chemical Society Washington, D.C., 2002, Vol. ACS Symposium Series 818. 

Biocatalysis has many advantages in the context of green chemistry, e.g. mild reaction conditions and often fewer steps than conventional chemical procedures because protection and deprotection of functional groups are often not required. Consequently, classical chemical procedures are increasingly being replaced by cleaner biocatalytic alternatives in the fine chemicals industry (see later). 

May O (2009) Green chemistry with biocatalysis for production of pharmaceuticals. In Tao J, Lin GQ, Liese A (eds) Biocatalysis for the Pharmaceutical Industry. Wiley Asia, Singapore, p 310... 

S. Serra, Opportunities for biocatalysis in the flavor, fragrance, and cosmetic industry, in J. Tao, R. Kazlauskas (Eds.) Biocatalysisfor Green Chemistry and Chemical Process Development, John Wiley Sons, Inc., Hoboken, 2011, pp. 223-254. 

Biocatalytic processes have become very important in the chemical industry [1-4], Of particular importance is one property of enz3unes— their stereoselectivity—which enables either of the two enanhomers to be reacted or formed preferentially in chemical reactions with chiral or prochiral compounds. Thus, resolution of racemic mixtures and more importantly the direct synthesis of enantiomerically pure products can be achieved without the need to protect group chemistry. Biocatalytic reactions are usually carried out under mild conditions, thus avoiding xmwanted side reactions [5,6]. Particularly in combination with enz)me immobilization, which enables easy workup of the product and reusability of the catalyst, biocatalysis is a promising approach in green chemistry. Moreover, the availability of protein engineering techniques also makes evolved or tailor-made biocatalysts more suitable for meeting the requirements of industrial applications. 

This book is thus organized in three parts. The first five chapters discuss the principles and tools needed to realize a sustainable industrial chemistry. Chapter 1 discusses the general principles and emphasizes the differences between green and sustainable industrial chemistry approaches. It is also an introductory chapter to the topic. Chapter 2 discusses the role of catalysis as a main enabling factor to achieve sustainability through chemistry. Several examples of homogeneous, heterogeneous and biocatalysis are discussed, with emphasis on industrial aspects, to provide a comprehensive view of the possibilities offered by this tool. 

There is a general need for cleaner ( green ) and sustainable chemistry, and although it is not the prerogative of biocatalysis, it is nevertheless an important feature of it. Social pressure forces the chemical industry to pay more attention to these issues, as the public becomes aware that the resources are limited and have to be used with utmost efficiency. 

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