Haloperoxidases: Enzymatic Synthesis of α,β-Halohydrins from Gaseous Alkenes

The enzymatic synthesis of α,β-halohydrins from gaseous alkenes is described. The enzymatic reaction required an alkene, a halide ion, dilute hydrogen peroxide, and a haloperoxidase enzyme. A wide range of gaseous alkenes were suitable for this reaction, including those containing isolated, conjugated, and cumulative carbon-carbon double bonds. Chlorohydrins, bromohydrins, and iodohydrins could be formed. The combining of this enzymatic synthesis with a previously described enzymatic synthesis of epoxides from α,β-halohydrins provides an alternate pathway, other than the well-known enzymatic direct epoxidation pathway, from alkene to an epoxide.