ARTIFICIAL ELECTRON CARRIERS FOR PREPARATIVE BIOCATALYTIC REDOX REACTIONS FORMING REVERSIBLY CARBON-HYDROGEN BONDS WITH ENZYMES PRESENT IN STRICT OR FACULTATIVE ANAEROBES

The application of various artificial electron mediators in combination with redox enzymes present in anaerobically grown cells is described. Examples include viologens of different redox potential, cobalt complexes, anthraquinones, phenoxazines, phenazines and others. The regeneration of the reduced or oxidised mediators by various methods is discussed, with hydrogen gas, carbon monoxide, formate or a cathode as electron donors, and dimethylsulphoxide, quinones, oxygen or an anode as electron accepters. The enzymes used, usually in the form of resting cells or crude cell extracts of clostridia or Proteus species are mostly reversible. Examples for preparative reductions as well as for dehydrogenations are given.