Microwave-induced enzyme-catalyzed chemoselective reduction of organic azides.

A lipase enzyme, suspended in organic media along with organic azides and irradiated under microwaves, enhances the reaction rate over thermal heating and affords the corresponding amines in high yields. The present biocatalytic method employing lipase is a significant development with remarkable regio- and chemoselectivity under microwave irradiation in organic media with excellent yields for the reduction of azide functionality.