The main focus of this thesis lies in the development of new transition metal-catalyzed chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolutions (DKR) of both alcohols and amines. The first part of the thesis deals with the development of new heterogeneous systems for the DKR of amines. The racemization catalysts in these different systems are all composed of palladium nanoparticles supported on either mesoporous silica or incorporated in a biocomposite that is composed of a bioactive cross-linked enzyme aggregate. 

The second part of the thesis deals with the development of a homogeneous iron catalyst in the racemization of sec-alcohols for the implementation in a chemoenzymatic DKR. Two protocols for the racemization of sec-alcohols are reported. The first one could not be combined with a chemoenzymatic kinetic resolution, although this was overcome in the second iron based protocol. 

Following the successful iron catalyzed chemoenzymatic DKR of sec-alcohols, the iron catalyst was used in the cyclization of α-allenic alcohols and N-protected amines to furnish 2,3-dihydrofurans and 2,3-dihydropyrroles, respectively. The cyclization is proceeding in a diastereoselective manner.

The last part of the thesis deals with attempts to further elucidate the mechanism of activation of a known ruthenium racemization catalyst. X-ray absorption spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation was used for this purpose.

The palladium (Pd) and ruthenium (Ru) species in several attractive catalysts have been probed using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The study of catalyst evolution in suspension- and solution-based reactions was the primary aim. It was achieved by performing in situ XAS experiments on Pd and Ru over the course of the reactions. A custom-made reactor was employed which allowed the catalysts to be mixed with other reaction components under desired conditions.

The first system investigated was the Heck coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd(II) complexes embedded on metal-organic frameworks. It was realized that the as-synthesized catalysts go through an instant ligand substitution process when added to the reaction mixture. Mononuclear Pd complexes are the active species at the first stage of the measurement which then gradually transform into Pd nanoclusters. At a later stage of the measurement, chloride ligands start to bind to surface atoms of the Pd nanoclusters, leading to a deactivation of the catalyst. Following the first successful in situ XAS experiment, Pd(II) carbene complexes catalyzing undirected C–H acetoxylation of benzene in the presence of an oxidant were explored. A gradual ligand substitution occurs, and the mean oxidation state of Pd increases at the same time. At a later stage, Pd nanoclusters form, while the mean oxidation state of Pd returns to the start value. Deactivation of a heterogeneous Pd(II) catalyst during cycloisomerization of acetylenic acids was then investigated using in situ XAS. The choice of substrates showed to significantly influence the nature of Pd species, and the reduction of Pd(II) forming Pd(0) aggregates causes the deactivation. Moreover, strategies of reactivating the catalyst and prevention of the deactivation were developed and examined. In the end, the activation process of a Ru catalyst was studied and the structure of the intermediate was determined by in situ XAS. It was demonstrated that an electron-donating substituent on the cyclopentadiene ligand exhibits a promoting effect on the activation, while an electron-withdrawing substituent inhibits the activation.