Biocatalysis green chemistry

Biocatalysis refers to catalysis by enzymes. The enzyme may be introduced into the reaction in a purified isolated form or as a whole-cell micro-organism. Enzymes are highly complex proteins, typically made up of 100 to 400 amino acid units. The catalytic properties of an enzyme depend on the actual sequence of amino acids, which also determines its three-dimensional structure. In this respect the location of cysteine groups is particularly important since these form stable disulfide linkages, which hold the structure in place. This three-dimensional structure, whilst not directly involved in the catalysis, plays an important role by holding the active site or sites on the enzyme in the correct orientation to act as a catalyst. Some important aspects of enzyme catalysis, relevant to green chemistry, are summarized in Table 4.3. 

Green Chemistry with Biocatalysis for Production of Pharmaceuticals 305... 

Chapter 14 discusses the recent impact of biocatalysis in green chemistry and chemical development. 

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. 

It has also been recognized and it is widely accepted that biocatalysis can make a difference and has a strong impact on many principles of green chemistry. This impact goes much beyond pharmaceuticals production, which, however, will be the focus of this chapter. 

The use of biocatalysis in the manufacture of APIs can address some of the 12 principles of green chemistry set out by Anastas and Wamer. ° For example, biocatalytic processes can ... 

Biocatalysis Green Chemistry Meets White Biotechnology... 

This chapter outlines the principles of green chemistry, and explains the connection between catalysis and sustainable development. It covers the concepts of environmental impact, atom economy, and life-cycle analysis, with hands-on examples. Then it introduces the reader to heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, and biocatalysis, explaining what catalysis is and why it is important. The last two sections give an overview of the tools used in catalysis research, and a list of recommended books on specialized subjects in catalysis. 

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). 

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