A series of synthetic nicotinamide cofactors were synthesized to replace natural nicotinamide cofactors and promote enoate reductase (ER)-catalyzed reactions without compromising activity or stereoselectivity of the bioreduction process. Conversions and enantioselectivities of up to >99% were obtained for C=C bioreductions and the process was successfully upscaled. Furthermore, high chemoselectivity was observed when employing these nicotinamide cofactor mimics (mNADs) with crude extracts in ER-catalyzed reactions.The asymmetric reduction of conjugated C=C double bonds using enoate reductases (ERs, EC 1.3.1.31) is receiving great interest in preparative organic chemistry.1 § Both authors contributed equally.

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