Structural studies and synthetic applications of Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases

Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases (BVMOs) are enzymes able to perform highly regio- plus stereoselective nucleophilic and electrophilic biooxygenations on various substrates. The resultant chiral products (lactones and sulfoxides) can be valuable for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of a wide range of useful compounds. Recent studies have provided a number of alternative active-site models that attempt to explain the exquisite and unusual selectivity of BVMOs. This article reviews some of the established applications, and considers the merits of the various predictive models.