Stable electroenzymatic processes by catalyst separation.

Division of labour: The rapid enzyme inactivation in the electroenzymatic synthesis of chiral alcohols has been the main obstacle for synthetic applications during the last two decades. The reasons for this inactivation have now been elucidated. The development of a water-soluble polymeric mediator and the spatial separation of enzyme and mediator led to the first stable process and significantly improved catalyst utilisations (see picture).