Flavin‐dependent ‘ene’‐reductases (EREDs) are highly selective catalysts for the asymmetric reduction of activated alkenes. This function is, however, limited to enones, enoates, and nitroalkenes using the native hydride transfer mechanism. Here we demonstrate that EREDs can reduce vinyl pyridines when irradiated with visible light in the presence of a photoredox catalyst. Experimental evidence suggests the reaction proceeds via a radical mechanism where the vinyl pyridine is reduced to the corresponding neutral benzylic radical in solution. DFT calculations reveal this radical to be “dynamically stable”, suggesting it is sufficiently long‐lived to diffuse into the enzyme active site for stereoselective hydrogen atom transfer. This reduction mechanism is distinct from the native one, highlighting the opportunity to expand the synthetic capabilities of existing enzyme platforms by exploiting new mechanistic models.

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A fast time response, wide dynamic range neutron flux monitor has been developed toward the LHD deuterium operation by using leading-edge signal processing technologies providing maximum counting rate up to ∼5 × 109 counts/s. Because a maximum total neutron emission rate over 1 × 1016 n/s is predicted in neutral beam-heated LHD plasmas, fast response and wide dynamic range capabilities of the system are essential. Preliminary tests have demonstrated successful performance as a wide dynamic range monitor along the design.

N-Heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed formation of β-anionic intermediates from enones has been employed in the enantioselective synthesis of 2-aryl propionates. The reaction was achievable using a homochiral 4-MeOC6H4 morpholinone catalyst allowing the first example of enantioselective catalysis by umpolung of α,β-unsaturated ketones. The reaction is high yielding, and shows robustness with reasonable generality. A mechanism is proposed in which the enantiodetermining protonation is achieved using either hexafluoroisopropanol or the formed naphthol product.