ERA-Chemistry - Enzymatic Carboxylation in Ionic Liquids

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The enzymatic carboxylation of aromatics catalysed by various decarboxylases, using bicarbonate as CO2 source, represents a very promising biosynthetic tool as 'green' alternative to classic chemical (Kolbe-Schmitt) methods which often require harsh reaction conditions. Despite the perfect regio-selectivity of the available enzymes, the direction towards desired biosynthetic carboxylation is thermodynamically disfavored and therefore impeded by incomplete conversion, which represents one of the most demanding challenges within this project. Engineering of the biocatalytic process using novel tools for in-situ product removal by reactive extraction as well as the use of ionic liquids will be investigated. Furthermore, a cascade systems of two enzymatic reaction in which product I is the substrate of enzyme II will be evaluated. Overall, these strategies aim at the shift of the equilibrium towards full conversion. A further main research focus of this proposal will be the engineering of the biocatalysts and the evaluation of the substrate scope of the enzyme candidates including mutants since the latter is of crucial importance for a biocatalytic approach in view of industrial application.