Stereochemistry of enzymic processes in the biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

The harmonization of biosynthetic pathways with organic reaction mechanisms has relied heavily on stereochemical studies. The field of biosynthesis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids exemplifies these connections through a wide range of common organic reactions including oxidation condensation, and decarboxylation. Further, the applications of biogenetic concepts and enzyme-catalysed reactions to synthesis are illustrated. The results are exciting, not only for their intrinsic scientific interest, but because they point the way to using plant enzymes to recognise structurally modified biosynthetic intermediates and hence open routes to the synthesis of new compounds that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.