The dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of racemic compounds provides one of the most convenient and efficient routes to a wide range of enantiomerically enriched molecules. New strategy of the combined use of enzymes and transition metal catalysis has extended the scope of dynamic kinetic resolution. A key feature of this methodology is the use of metal catalysts for the in situ racemization of enzymatically unreactive enantiomers in the enzymatic resolution of racemic substrates. It overcomes the limitation of the maximum 50% yield in the traditional kinetic resolution. In this way, all of the substrate could be converted into a single product isomer with a 100% theoretical yield. An account on its recent advances and applica-tions was briefly reviewed.

Key words: dynamic kinetic resolution, transition metal catalysis, enzyme