Biocatalytic Enantioselective Oxidative CC Coupling by Aerobic CH Activation

Bridging the gap: The berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) was employed for the first preparative oxidative biocatalytic CC coupling that leads to a new intramolecular bond. This unique transformation requires O2 as sole stoichiometric oxidant and gives access to novel optically pure (S)-berbine 2 and (R)-1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline 1 alkaloid derivatives by kinetic resolution.