This is an example of the reaction of an epoxide ring reacting with water and and enzyme (epoxide hydrolase) to create a vicinal diol. The paper displays experiments with several different compounds and the role of mono- and di-oxygenase enzymes in arene
metabolism. The paper also displays a variety of intermediary or alternative pathways the the substrates can take to generate different, but useful products. The primary focus is on the impressive ability of bacterial oxygenases to catalyse the cisdihydroxylation
of a diverse range of arenes and alkenes to yield a single enantiomer.
Enzymes are complex biochemical catalysts, speeding up a particular reaction to produce an ordered, stable reaction system in which the products of any reaction are made when they are needed. A specific enzyme controls each reaction in a series of metabolic reactions. Enzymes also control cell metabolism by regulating how and when reactions occur.
They are made up of globular proteins that have complex tertiary or quaternary structure. Enzyme shape is maintained by hydrogen bonds and ionic forces and their function can be affected by changes in temperature and pH.
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