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Abstract These studies reveal the first structure ofClostridium acetobutylicumalcohol dehydrogenase (CaADH), a protein exhibiting remarkable substrate promiscuity and stereochemical fidelity. The CaADH enzyme is utilized here for synthesizing 20 potential aryl isoserine side chains for the Taxotere family of tubulin‐binding chemotherapeutics. The approach involves dynamic reductive kinetic resolution (DYRKR) upon the corresponding α‐chloro‐β‐keto esters, showing high D‐synstereoselectivity, including those leading to the clinically relevant milataxel (Ar = 2‐furyl) and simotaxel (Ar = 2‐thienyl) side chains. Furthermore, various cross‐coupling chemistries performed on thep‐bromophenyl isoserine side chain significantly enhance the structural diversity of the taxoid side chain library obtained (16 additional taxoid side chains). The CaADH structure is notable: (i) the nicotinamide cofactor is bound in ananti‐conformation, with the amide carbonyl occupying the ketone binding pocket, and (ii) a flexible loop near the active site likely contributes to the remarkable substrate promiscuity observed in CaADH. We present our perspective on the dynamic nature of the CaADH active site through molecular dynamics simulation, proposing a halogen bonding model as a potential mechanism for the remarkable selectivity for an (S)‐configured C─Cl bond, in addition to the D‐facial selectivity, demonstrated across 20 diverse substrates by this remarkable short‐chain dehydrogenase enzyme. 

In the Big Data era, a change of paradigm in the use of molecular dynamics is required. Trajectories should be stored under FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) requirements to favor its reuse by the community under an open science paradigm.