Mimicking nature: synthetic nicotinamide cofactors for C═C bioreduction using enoate reductases.

A series of synthetic nicotinamide cofactors were synthesized to replace natural nicotinamide cofactors and promote enoate reductase (ER) catalyzed reactions without compromising the activity or stereoselectivity of the bioreduction process. Conversions and enantioselectivities of >99% were obtained for C═C bioreductions, and the process was successfully upscaled. Furthermore, high chemoselectivity was observed when employing these nicotinamide cofactor mimics (mNADs) with crude extracts in ER-catalyzed reactions.