BASF develop new enzymes for production chiral intermediates

World leading chemical company BASF has developed a new class of enzymes suited to making chiral intermediates.

Asymmetric bioreactions are catalysed by these specifically modified biocatalysts known as enoate reductase. These reactions take place at low temperatures and standard pressure and, by being highly selective, yield particularly high-quality products, the company says.

According to BASF, the process allows a very efficient process for producing chemically sophisticated chiral molecules of outstanding optical purity.

Examples include esters and aldehydes, which serve as starting materials in the production of active pharmaceutical and agrochemical ingredients.

Examples include esters and aldehydes, which serve as starting materials in the production of active pharmaceutical and agrochemical ingredients. Enoate reductases complement BASF's portfolio of enzymes, which include dehydrogenases, nitrilases and lipases.

BASF provides its customers with access to a broad and steadily growing portfolio of chiral amines, beta-aminoacids, aminoalcohols, aromatic and aliphatic alpha-hydroxy acids, alcohols and epoxides. The company can develop and produce new chiral intermediates in close cooperation with its global customers. BASF operates three production facilities for ChiPros - the brand name by which the company's chiral intermediates are traded, at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, USA, with a combined annual capacity in excess of 4,000 metric tons.