Synthesis of N-heterocycles from diamines via H2-driven NADPH recycling in the presence of O2Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8gc03798a

Herein, we report an enzymatic cascade involving an oxidase, an imine reductase and a hydrogenase for the H 2 -driven synthesis of N -heterocycles. Variants of putrescine oxidase from Rhodococcus erythropolis with improved activity were identified. Substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines were obtained with up to 97% product formation in a one-pot reaction directly from the corresponding diamine substrates. The formation of up to 93% ee gave insights into the specificity and selectivity of the putrescine oxidase. We designed a novel H 2 -driven cascade for the biosynthesis of N -heterocycles.