Versatile Biocatalytic C(sp3)−H Oxyfunctionalization for the Site‐ Selective and Stereodivergent Synthesis of α‐ and β‐Hydroxy Acids

C(sp3)−H oxyfunctionalization, the insertion of an O‐atom into C(sp3)−H bonds, streamlines the synthesis of complex molecules from easily accessible precursors and represents one of the most challenging tasks in organic chemistry with regard to site and stereoselectivity. Biocatalytic C(sp3)−H oxyfunctionalization has the potential to overcome limitations inherent to small‐molecule‐mediated approaches by delivering catalyst‐controlled selectivity. Through enzyme repurposing and activity profiling of natural variants, we have developed a subfamily of α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent iron dioxygenases that catalyze the site‐ and stereodivergent oxyfunctionalization of secondary and tertiary C(sp3)−H bonds, providing concise synthetic routes towards four types of 92 α‐ and β‐hydroxy acids with high efficiency and selectivity. This method provides a biocatalytic approach for the production of valuable but synthetically challenging chiral hydroxy acid building blocks. Herein, α‐ketoglutarate‐dependent aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenases (AADs) are repurposed for applications in biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization. Activity profiling of natural AADs enabled the synthesis of four types of α‐and β‐hydroxy acids with broad scope, high efficiency, and good selectivity.