Enzymes as reagents in organic chemistry: transketolase-catalyzed synthesis of D-xylulose

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(90)84008-I

Oxidation of commercial DL-<2,3-13C2>serine by D-amino acid oxidase gave <2,3-13C2>hydroxypyruvate, the condensation of which with D-glyceraldehyde, catalysed by transketolase (partially purified from spinach leaves), gave D-threo-<1,2-13C2>pentulose (D-<1,2-13C2>xylulose), which was studied by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.