title: Biocatalytic production of tetrahydroisoquinolines.
abstract: The promiscuity of the enzyme norcoclaurine synthase is described. This biocatalyst yielded a diverse array of substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines by cyclizing dopamine with various acetaldehydes in a Pictet-Spengler reaction. This enzymatic reaction may provide a biocatalytic route to a range of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Bettina M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ruff
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bräse
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: O'Connor