The enzyme catalyzed carboxylation of electron-rich phenol derivatives employing recombinant benzoic acid decarboxylases at the expense of bicarbonate as CO2 source is reported. In contrast to the classic Kolbe–Schmitt reaction, the biocatalytic equivalent proceeded in a highly regioselective fashion exclusively at the ortho-position of the phenolic directing group in up to 80% conversion. Several enzymes were identified, which ...
