Synthesis of methyl propanoate by Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenasesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, sequences and raw data belonging to Fig. S2 and S3. See DOI: 10.1039/c4cc06489e

Methyl propanoate is an important precursor for polymethyl methacrylates. The use of a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) to produce this compound was investigated. Several BVMOs were identified that produce the chemically non-preferred product methyl propanoate in addition to the normal product ethyl acetate. The smallest asymmetric ketone 2-butanone ( 1 ) could be converted by several Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases into the abnormal product methyl propanoate ( 3 ), as opposed to the normal product ethyl acetate ( 2 ) when a chemical Baeyer-Villiger oxidation is performed.