Expanding the toolbox of Baeyer–Villiger and flavin monooxygenase biocatalysts for the enantiodivergent green synthesis of sulfoxides

Two new monooxygenase biocatalysts, the Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase BVMO145 and the flavin monooxygenase FMO401 from Almac library, have been found to catalyse the enantiodivergent oxidation of sulfides bearing N-heterocyclic substituents into sulfoxides under mild and green conditions. The biocatalyst BVMO145 provides (S)-sulfoxides while the flavin monooxygenase FMO401 affords (R)-sulfoxides with good conversions and high ee.