Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry

The use of natural catalysts - enzymes - for the transformation of nonnatural man-made organic compounds is not at all new: they have been used for more than one hundred years, employed either as whole cells, cell organelles or isolated enzymes [1, 2]. Certainly, the object of most of the early research was totally different from that of the present day . Thus the elucidation of enzyme mechanisms was the main reason for biochemical pathways and research some decades ago. It was mainly during the 1980s that the enormous potential of applying natural catalysts to transform non-natural organic compounds was recognized. What started as a trend in the late 1970s could almost be called a fashion in synthetic organic chemistry in the 1990s. Although the early euphoria during the 'gold rush' in this field seems to have eased somewhat, there is still no limit to be seen for the future development of such methods. As a result of this extensive, recent research, there have been an estimated 13 000 papers published on the subject. To collate these data as a kind of 'super-review' would clearly be an impossible task and, furthermore, such a hypothetical book would be unpalatable for the non-expert [3-7].

From the reviews:

"... This book is a must for everyone with an abiding interest in this topic. The coverage of both the basic principles and more advanced theory, in addition to the abundance of examples provided, make "Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry" an eminently commendable work." (www.organische-chemie.de, 13.4.2004)

"This book is an excellent resource upon which to base undergraduate and graduate courses in biotransformations and at the same time to promote the integration of catalytic methods in organic synthesis as an approach to performing efficient synthesis.… This book provides good value for the reader and is highly recommended."

Chemistry in Australia, 11/2004, p. 31

"… To summarize, the book is comprehensive, well structured and easy to read either cover-to-cover or by just dipping into a particular topic of interest. It is a combination of a general introduction to the theoretical principles of synthetic biotransformations, an outline of the practicalities which need to be considered and a compact, yet comprehensive, review of discoveries and developments which have driven this field towards maturity over the past twenty years. I found it to be an informative and enjoyable read and would recommend it as a central textbook both for synthetic chemists already involved in biotransformations as well as a good starting point for those who have yet to take the plunge."(www.biochemist.org, 2/2005, Dr. Chris Hamilton, Queens University Belfast)

"With a chemistry audience in mind, this book covers … biotransformation methodologies, but pays particular attention enzyme types and methods which are the most useful and accessible to the organic chemist. … With more than 2000 references to the primary literature not only is this book an informative introductory text, it also provides a central reference … . comprehensive, well structured and easy to read … . a good starting point for those who have yet to take the plunge." (Dr. Chris Hamilton, The Biochemist, February, 2005)

"This book is an excellent resource upon which to base undergraduate and graduate courses in biotransformations and at the same time to promote the integration of catalytic methods in organic synthesis as an approach to performing efficient syntheses. … This book provides good value for the reader and is highly recommended." (Helmut Hügel)

From the reviews of the fifth edition:

"Offers a remarkable arsenal of highly selective transformations for state-of-the-art synthetic organic chemistry. … this well-established textbook on biocatalysis provides a basis for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in modern organic chemistry, as well as a condensed introduction to this field. It is written from an organic chemist’s viewpoint to fill the gap between classical organic chemistry and biochemistry … . Emphasis has been given to an improved didactic style … to facilitate a deeper understanding of the underlying principles involved." (LabPlus International, Vol. 18(2), 2004)

"In this book, Kurt Faber … has produced an outstanding teaching aid in the area of biotransformations. Kinetics, equilibria, and their effects on selectivity and enantioselectivity are explained in careful detail, with interesting reactions provided to exemplify these concepts. … This book is a must for everyone with an abiding interest in this topic. … an eminently commendable work."

"With more than 2000 references … not only is this book an informative introductory text, it also provides a central reference from which to pursue a biotransformation of particular interest. … To polish it off are some useful appendices … . the book is comprehensive, well structured and easy to read … . I found it to be an informative and enjoyable read and would recommend it as a central textbook both for synthetic chemists … a good starting point for those who have yet to take the plunge." (Dr. Chris Hamilton, www.biochemist.org, February, 2005)

"This book is an excellent resource upon which to base undergraduate and graduate courses in biotransformations and at the same time to promote the integration of catalytic methods in organic synthesis as an approach to performing efficient syntheses. … provides good value for the reader and is highly recommended." (Helmut Hügel, Chemistry in Australia, November, 2004)

"The revised and corrected fifth edition of this well-established textbook on biocatalysis provides a basis for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in modern organic chemistry, as well as a condensed introduction to this field. It is written from an organic chemist’s viewpoint to fill the gap between classical organic chemistry and biochemistry … . Emphasis has been given to an improved didactic style … to facilitate a deeper understanding of the underlying principles involved. New developments … are included." (LabPlus International, Vol. 18 (2), 2004)

"Kurt Faber … has produced an outstanding teaching aid in the area of biotransformations. Kinetics, equilibria … are explained in careful detail, with interesting reactions provided to exemplify these concepts. … it enumerates all of the most important aspects, and in this regard will be of interest to the researcher who wishes to begin working in the field of biotransformations. This book is a must for everyone … . The coverage of both the basic principles and more advanced theory … eminently commendable work." (www.organische-chemie.de, April, 2004)

"This well-established textbook on biocatalysis provides a basis for undergraduate and graduate courses in modern organic chemistry, as well as a condensed introduction into this field." (Chimie Nouvelle, Issue 92, June, 2006)

"Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry as a textbook provides an extensive and basic background in this field and it is a foundation book for students of undergraduate and postgraduate in the course of modern organic chemistry." (John F. Kennedy, Univ. Birmingham; Journal: Carbohydrate Polymers, Issue 63, 2006)