Applications of cell-free enzymes in organic synthesis.

Enzymes are a potentially useful addition to the group of catalysts used in practical organic synthesis for the preparation of biologically relevant substances. This paper outlines certain of the problems still limiting the use of enzymic catalysts, and illustrates successful applications to the synthesis of complex molecules: phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate and lactosamine. Certain problems peculiar to enzymic catalysis--product inhibition and specific activity--are discussed.