What to sacrifice? Fusions of cofactor regenerating enzymes with Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases and alcohol dehydrogenases for self-sufficient redox biocatalysis

A collection of fusion biocatalysts has been generated that can be used for self-sufficient oxygenations or ketone reductions. These biocatalysts were created by fusing a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase (cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Thermocrispum municipale: TmCHMO) or an alcohol dehydrogenase (alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus brevis: LbADH) with three different cofactor regeneration enzymes (formate dehydrogenase from Burkholderia stabilis: BsFDH; glucose dehydrogenase from Sulfolobus tokodaii: StGDH, and phosphite dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas stutzeri: PsPTDH). Their tolerance against various organic solvents, including a deep eutectic solvent, and their activity and selectivity with a variety of substrates have been studied. Excellent conversions and enantioselectivities were obtained, demonstrating that these engineered fusion enzymes can be used as biocatalysts for the synthesis of (chiral) valuable compounds.     

Comparison of storage stability of odorous VOCs in polyester aluminum and polyvinyl fluoride Tedlar bags

Whole air sampling using containers such as flexible bags or rigid canisters is commonly used to collect samples of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in air. The objective of this study was to compare the stability of polyester aluminum (PEA) and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF, brand name Tedlar^®) bags for gaseous VOC sampling. Eight VOC standards (benzene, toluene, p-xylene, styrene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isobutyl alcohol) were placed into each bag at storage times of 0, 2, and 3 days prior to analyses by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). From each bag representing each storage day, samples of 3 different mass loadings were withdrawn and analyzed to derive response factors (RF) of each chemical between the slope of the GC response (y-axis) vs. loaded mass (x-axis). The relative recoveries (RR) of VOC, if derived by dividing RF value of a given storage day by that of 0 day, varied by time, bag type, and VOC type. If the RR values after three days are compared, those of methyl isobutyl ketone were the highest with 96 (PVF) and 99% (PEA); however, the results of isobutyl alcohol were highly contrasting between the two bags with 31 and 94%, respectively. Differences in RR values between the two bag types increased with storage time, such that RR of PEA bags (88 ± 10%) were superior to those of PVF bags (73 ± 22%) after three days, demonstrating that VOC in PEA bags were more stable than in PVF bags.     

Reactivity of phosphine oxide H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO in the reactions with ketones

The reactivity of the electrochemically generated phosphine oxide H₃PO towards ketones (acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, methyl n-propyl ketone, and tert-butyl methyl ketone) has been studied. It was found that this reaction led to the formation of mono- and bis(hydroxyalkyl)phosphine oxides of the formulas RR?(OH)P(O)H₂ and [RR?(OH)]₂P(O)H (R = Me; R´ = Me, Et, Pr) and represents the first example of the P—C bond formation involving the intermediate H₃PO.     

Synthetic transformations of higher terpenoids: XXXII. Synthesis of 16-alkenyl-substituted labdatrienes by oxidative coupling of methyl phlomisoate with alkenes

Reactions of methyl phlomisoate with methyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, methyl vinyl ketone, phenyl vinyl ketone, or N-substituted acrylamides catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of Cu(OAc)₂, p-benzoquinone in the mixture of propionic acid and acetonitrile proceed regio- and stereoselectively with the formation of (E)-16-vinyl labdatrienoates. The oxidative coupling under these conditions of the methyl phlomisoate with styrene results in a mixture of 15,16-distyryl-, 16-styryl-, and 16-(1-phenylvinyl)-derivatives of furanolabdanoid.     

Kinetics of the adsorption of polystyrene macromolecules from dilute solutions in methyl ethyl ketone on carbon black

The kinetics of the adsorption of a mixture of three polystyrenes (the weight-average molecular weight M _w = 8300, 34000, and 195000) on nonporous carbon (carbon black pretreated in the argon flow at 3800 K) from dilute solutions in methyl ethyl ketone at 298 K is studied. The kinetic dependences of the adsorption of polystyrenes on carbon black nanoparticles from solutions in methyl ethyl ketone are described by adsorption kinetics equations previously used for describing the adsorption of aromatic hydrocarbons from aqueous solutions by active carbon. The correlation between the kinetic coefficients and the molecular weights of polystyrenes is discussed.     

Effect of ketones on the equilibrium between peroxy radicals carrying the chains of cyclohexanol oxidation with molecular oxygen

The influence of methyl phenyl ketone and diphenyl ketone on the kinetics of cyclohexanol oxidation initiated by cumyl peroxide at 373 K was studied. The ratio of the chain propagation rate constant involving the 1-hydroxy-1-phenylethylperoxy radical to the equilibrium constant of radical dissociation into methyl phenyl ketone and hydroperoxy radical (k _2.3/K′₂ = 900 L² mol^?2 s^?1) was determined by the selective inhibition method.     

Synthesis of N,N′-di(tert-butyl)bispidin-9-ones

Condensation of 1,3,5-tri(tert-butyl)-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane with acetone gave 3,7-di(tert-butyl)-1,5-bis[(tert-butylamino)methyl]bispidin-9-one. Reactions with ethyl methyl ketone and other ketones of the formula RCH₂COCH₃ yielded 5-R-3,7-di(tert-butyl)-1-[(tert-butylamino)methyl]bispidin-9-ones, while reactions with diethyl ketone and other symmetrical ketones of the formula RCH₂COCH₂R afforded 1,5-R-3,7-di(tert-butyl)bispidin-9-ones.     

Mechanism of oxidation of some aliphatic ketones by N-bromosuccinimide in acidic media

Kinetics of the oxidation of methyl n-propyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) have been studied in perchloric acid media in presence of mercuric acetate. A zero order dependence to N-bromosuccinimide and a first order dependence to both ketones and hydrogen ion concentrations have been observed. Sodium perchlorate, mercuric acetate and succinimide additions have negligible effect while methanol addition has a positive effect on the reaction rate. A solvent isotope effect (k₀D₂O/K₀H₂O = 2.3-2.7 and 2.4-2.8 for MeCOn.pr and MeCoi-Bu, respectively) has been observed at 35°. Kinetic investigations have revealed that the order of reactivity is methyl n-propyl ketone > methyl isobutyl ketone. Various thermodynamic parameters have been computed and corresponding 1,2-diketones were found to be the products. A suitable mechanism in conformity with the above observations has been proposed.     

Identification,Cloning and Biochemical Characterization of Pseudomonas putida A (ATCC 12633) Monooxygenase Enzyme necessary for the Metabolism of Tetradecyltrimethylammonium Bromide

This study presents the first report of the purification and characterization of a monooxygenase enzyme from Pseudomonas putida A (ATCC 12633) that is responsible for the oxidation of physiologically relevant quaternary ammonium compounds, the tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The degradation of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide by P. putida A (ATCC 12633) is initiated by N-dealkylation and catalysed by tetradecyltrimethylammonium monooxygenase (TTABMO), resulting in the formation of tetradecylalkanal and trimethylamine. Based on sequence analysis, the gene for TTABMO (ttbmo) corresponded to an ORF named PP2033 in the genome of P. putida KT2440. Mutation in ttabmo blocked the utilization of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide by Pseudomonas putida A (ATCC 12633) as carbon and nitrogen sources. The enzyme can be highly overexpressed in P. putida Δttabmo-T7 in active form and purified as a hexahistidine fusion protein. Like the native enzyme, the his-TTABMO was found to be a monomer with molecular mass of 40 kDa, the isoelectric point 7.3, that catalyses the breakdown of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and utilized NADPH and FAD as cofactor. The biochemical properties and the analysis of the respective protein sequence revealed that TTABMO represents a typical flavoprotein monooxygenase, which is member of a flavoprotein family that is distinct from Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases.     

Morita-Baylis-Hillman route to 4H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1]benzazepine derivatives

A simple method for synthesizing substituted 4H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][1]benzazepines using acid-assisted cyclization of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts of 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)benzaldehydes with methyl acrylate or methyl vinyl ketone as a key step has been developed.     

Enantiocomplementary preparation of (S)- and (R)-mandelic acid derivatives via α-hydroxylation of 2-arylacetic acid derivatives and reduction of α-ketoester using microbial whole cells

Forty one microorganisms belonging to different taxonomical groups were used to carry out the enantioselective reduction of methyl benzoylformate to afford the corresponding (R)-methyl mandelate, with moderate to high ee. In contrast, the monooxygenase enzyme in Helminthosporium sp. CIOC3.3316 catalyzed the hydroxylation of methyl 2-phenylacetate to (S)-methyl mandelate. This combination of oxidation and reduction biotransformations thus provides a method for preparing the enantiomers of chiral α-hydroxy acid derivatives.     

Synthesis and reactions of ν2-(2-formylphenyl)tetracarbonylmanganese(I) complexes; cyclopentaanulation of a diterpenoid

Reaction of tetracarbonylmangenese(I) complexes derived from a diterpenoid aryl aldehyde or aryl methyl ketone with acetylene or ethylene leads to cyclopentaannulation to give 1H-inden-1-ols or 1H-indan-ols, respectively.     

Countercurrent extraction separation of some platinum group metals: part III

The bromo complexes of platinum(IV), palladium(II), rhodium(III), and iridium(IV) were prepared and studies were made on their distribution between hydrobromic acid solutions and various common solvents. The solvents employed were n-tributyl phosphate (TBP), methyl isobutyl ketone, amyl acetate, and various TBP-benzene mixtures. Distribution coefficients as a function of HBr concentration are given for each metal for each solvent system. A careful study of the measured distribution coefficients clearly showed that a number of binary and ternary mixtures of the metals can be resolved with a Craig countercurrent distribution apparatus. Rh-Pt and Rh-Pd mixtures in 4.38M HBr solutions were quantitatively separated on a Io-stage Craig apparatus using a 90% TBP-10% benzene solvent. Rh-Ir mixtures in 4.38 M HBr were resolved by 3 consecutive batch extractions with 90% TBP-10% benzene. Mixtures of Pd, Rh, and Ir in 4.38 M HBr were resolved in 90 stages using methyl isobutyl ketone as the solvent. Pd, Rh and Ir were recovered in 97.0, 87.6 and 94.5% yields, respectively. Mixtures of Pd, Rh and Pt in 4.38 M HBr were resolved in 90 stages using amyl acetate and methyl isobutyl ketone as solvents. Pd, Rh and Pt were recovered in 90.0, 96.0 and 94.0% yields, respectively. Two computer programs for the IBM 1620 Computer are given ; these facilitate the comparison of theoretical and actual solute distributions.     

An efficient synthesis of 3-aryl-2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylbenzo[b]thiophenes via cyclization of aryl 2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylmethylsulfanylphenyl ketones

A convenient method for the preparation of 2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylbenzo[b]thiophenes has been developed. Thus, aryl 2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylmethylsulfanylphenyl ketones, easily prepared from readily available aryl 2-sulfanylphenyl ketones or 2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl phenyl ketone, are treated with LDA in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) to give 3-aryl-2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylmethylsulfanyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophen-3-ols, which in turn were dehydrated with thionyl chloride to afford 3-aryl-2-aryl(or methyl)sulfanylbenzo[b]thiophenes in reasonable overall yields.     

Catalytic, asymmetric aza-Baylis-Hillman reaction of N-sulfonated imines with activated olefins by quinidine-derived chiral amines

The chiral nitrogen Lewis base, tricyclic cinchona alkaloid derivative TQO, is an effective promoter in the catalytic, asymmetric aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction of N‐sulfonated imines Ar? CH?NR′ 1 (R′ = Ts, Ms, Ns, SES) with various activated olefins such as methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), ethyl vinyl ketone (EVK), acrolein, methyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, or α‐naphthyl acrylate to give the corresponding adducts in moderate to good yields with good to high ee (up to 99 %) at ?30 °C or 45 °C in various solvents, including DMF/MeCN (1:1, v/v). The first such reaction of 1 with the simplest Michael acceptor MVK and methyl acrylate has been achieved with excellent enantioselectivity. The adducts derived from MVK and EVK had the opposite absolute configuration to those from acrolein, methyl acrylate, phenyl acrylate, and α‐naphthyl acrylate. A plausible mechanism has been proposed on the basis of previous reports and the authors’ investigations. An effective bifunctional chiral nitrogen Lewis base–Brønsted acid system has been revealed in this type of aza‐Baylis–Hillman reaction.     

Reaction of 3-chloroallyltrimethylsilane with acid chloride and exploitation of a new regioselective synthesis of αβ-unsaturated epoxide

α-Chloro-βγ-unsaturated ketone (2) was synthesized from the reaction of 3-chloroallyltrimethylsilane (1) with acid chloride. The ketone was converted into αβ-unsaturated epoxide (3) regioselectively in good yield via reduction with NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄ followed by treatment with NaOH. Treatment with methyl lithium instead of reduction gave homologous epoxide (5).     

New spectrophotometric thiocyanate determination of iron in metals,alloys, acids and salts

A rapid, sensitive and fairly selective spectrophotometric thiocyanate method for the determination of traces of iron in metals, alloys, acids and salts is described. The iron is isolated from the bulk of the sample by solvent extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone from ₇N lithium chloride solution or ₇N hydrochloric acid. The iron (III) thiocyanate color is developed directly in the ketone extract and then measured spectrophotometrically.     

Asymmetric reduction of ketoxime derivatives and N-alkylketimines with borane–oxazaborolidine adducts

Oxime ethers of acetophenone, isopropyl methyl ketone, and tert-butyl methyl ketone were reduced to the corresponding hydroxylamine ethers of 45–94% ee with borane–oxazaborolidine 1 derived from (−)-norephedrine. A one-pot reduction of acetophenone oxime with 1 to 1-phenylethylhydroxylamine of 87% ee is described. The reduction of 6-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyridine and N-methylimines of the above mentioned ketones with borane-B-methyloxazaborolidine adduct 2, derived from (−)-diphenylprolinol, gave the corresponding amines of 40–74% ee.     

Copolymerization of propylene and methyl vinyl ketone with metallocene catalysts: Synthesis,properties, and thermal and photooxidation of modified polypropylene

The copolymers of propylene and methyl vinyl ketone are synthesized at 60°С by copolymerization in the propylene bulk in the presence of the polymethylaluminoxane-activated metallocene catalysts, namely, the isospecific С₂-symmetric metallocene catalyst rac-Me₂Si(2-Me-4-PhInd)₂ZrCl₂ and the syndiospecific Сs-symmetric metallocene catalyst Ph₂ССpFluZrCl₂, and characterized. It is shown that a noticeable insertion of methyl vinyl ketone into a polypropylene chain is possible during copolymerization initiated by the syndiospecific catalytic system, whereas in the case of the isospecific system, the insertion of methyl vinyl ketone is hindered. The thermal oxidation of the resulting polymers is studied. With the use of chemiluminescence, the accumulation of peroxy macroradicals under the action of daylight in samples based on isotactic and syndiotactic polypropylene is detected. It is found that even a low (0.2 mol %) content of methyl vinyl ketone endows polypropylene with the capability to undergo rapid and controlled degradation under natural conditions.     

The extraction of lead iodide by methyl iso-propyl ketone

A method is proposed for the isolation of lead by solvent extraction. When solutions of lead ions are treated with excess potassium iodide and hydrochloric acid (5 %), lead iodide is extracted quantitatively by methyl iso-propyl ketone. Employing a preliminary extraction with methyl iso-propyl ketone after conditioning the aqueous solution with ammonium thiocyanate and hydrochloric acid, practically all interferences are eliminated (except Cd and Ru).