Ribozyme‐catalyzed Diels–Alder reactions: Through the use of either D‐ or L‐ribozymes the absolute configuration of product 3 can be controlled. An ee value of >95 % is reached in the reaction between 1 and 2. The hexaethylene glycol residue attached to 1 and 3 is an atavism that stems from the in vitro selection of the ribozyme. Reactions with substrates not containing this residue are also catalyzed, albeit with lower ee values.

Ribozymes have recently been shown to catalyze the stereoselective formation of carbon-carbon bonds between small organic molecules. The interactions of these Diels-Alderase ribozymes with their substrates and products have now been elucidated by chemical substitution analysis by using 44 different, systematically varied analogues. RNA-diene interaction is governed by stacking interactions, while hydrogen bonding and metal ion coordination appear to be less important. The diene has to be an anthracene derivative, and substituents at defined positions are permitted, thereby shedding light on the geometry of the binding site. The dienophile must be a five-membered maleimidyl ring with an unsubstituted reactive double bond, and a hydrophobic side chain makes a major contribution to RNA binding. The ribozyme distinguishes between different enantiomers of chiral substrates and accelerates cycloadditions with both enantio- and diastereoselectivity. The stereochemistry of the reaction is controlled by RNA-diene interactions. The RNA interacts strongly and stereoselectively with the cycloaddition products, requiring several structural features to be present. Taken together, the results highlight the intricacy of ribozyme active sites which can control chemical reaction pathways based on minute differences in substrate stereochemistry and substitution pattern.

Heterogeneous catalysis for organic synthesis under continuous‐flow conditions becomes possible by a new reactor‐based approach. Continuous‐flow reactors with a monolithic glass/polymer composite interior are loaded with palladium particles by ion exchange followed by reduction. When incorporated into a continuous‐flow setup (PASSflow) this reactor allows the transfer‐hydrogenation of alkenes, alkynes, nitro‐substituted aromatic compounds and benzyl ethers in the flow‐through mode. In addition, the activity of the catalysts is well suited to achieve Suzuki, Sonogashira and Heck cross‐coupling reactions in the absence of phosphanes or any other ligands, resulting in a greatly simplified purification. As an extension to this concept a bifunctional support was prepared inside the reactor consisting of Pd particles and an ion‐exchange group (hydroxide form). In the Suzuki− Miyaura reaction the reactor serves as a base for immobilisation and activation of the boronic acid as boronate and as a catalyst for promoting the C−C coupling reaction under continuous‐flow conditions. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)

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