Development of a one-pot tandem reaction combining ruthenium-catalyzed alkene metathesis and enantioselective enzymatic oxidation to produce aryl epoxides

We report the development of a tandem chemoenzymatic transformation that combines alkene metathesis with enzymatic epoxidation to provide aryl epoxides. The development of this one-pot reaction required substantial protein and reaction engineering to improve both selectivity and catalytic activity. Ultimately, this reaction converts a mixture of alkenes into a single epoxide product in high enantioselectivity and moderate yields and illustrates both the challenges and benefits of tandem catalysis combining organometallic and enzymatic systems. Read more on publisher's site.