Synthesis of Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate (and Isosteric Analogues) by Enzymatic Oxidation; Sugars from Glycerol

The combination of enzymes glycerol phosphate oxidase and catalase allows the efficient preparative oxidation of glycerol phosphate 1 (X = O) with elemental oxygen which yields dihydroxyacetone phosphate 2 (X = O). Phosphate 2 can be added to various aldehydes in a one-flask, enzyme-catalyzed reaction to furnish 3 (X = O). Isosteric analogues of glycerol phosphate 1 (X = CH2, NH, S) can be converted into the corresponding adducts 3.