Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

Approaches to (R)- and (S)-1′-(1-aminoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid derivatives

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of (±)-methyl 1′-(1-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate 4 afforded its (R)-acetate (−)-5 (ee = 99%) and (S)-(+)-4 (ee = 90%). Stereoretentive azidation/amination/acetylation of (R)-(−)-5 gave (R)-(+)-methyl 1′-(1-acetamidoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate (R)-3 (ee = 98%). In a similar manner (S)-(+)-4 was converted into (S)-(−)-3 (ee = 84%). Both enantiomers of 3 were obtained in high chemical yields without a loss of enantiomeric purity. The title compounds can be coupled with natural amino acids and peptides on both C- and N-termini.     

Candida antarctica lipase B-catalyzed ring opening of 4-arylalkyl-substituted β-lactams

The Lipolase-catalyzed ring opening of racemic 4-benzyl- 3 and 4-phenylethyl-2-azetidinone 4 was performed with 0.5 equiv of H₂O in diisopropyl ether at 45 °C. The resulting (S)-β-amino acid 5 or 6 (ee ⩾ 87%) and (R)-β-lactam 7 or 8 (ee >99%) enantiomers could easily be separated. The ring opening of enantiomeric β-lactams with 18% aqueous HCl afforded the corresponding enantiopure β-amino acid hydrochlorides 9 and 10 (ee >99%).     

Chiral solvating properties of (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione

In CDCl₃ solution, enantiopure (S)-1-benzyl-6-methylpiperazine-2,5-dione (S)-1a formed diastereomeric CO⋯H–N hydrogen-bonded associates with racemic (RS,Z)-1-benzyl-3-[(dimethylamino)methylidene]piperazine-2,5-diones 2a and 2b, (RS)-tert-butyl pyroglutamate (RS)-2c and (RS)-N-benzoylalanine methyl ester (RS)-2d. This resulted in splitting (doubling) of the characteristic signals in the ¹H NMR and ¹³C spectra of racemic compounds 2a–d in the presence of 1 equiv of (S)-1a. The formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers in CDCl₃ solution was studied by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and 2D NMR and confirmed by the intermolecular NOE observed between the hydrogen-bonded amide protons from each of the monomeric units, (S)-1a and 2a–c. On the other hand, a slightly different binding mode was proposed for association of (S)-1a with alaninamide (RS)-2d. Enantiomer compositions of known (weighed) mixtures of both enantiomers of tert-butyl pyroglutamate 2c were re-determined by ¹H NMR in the presence of (S)-1a in CDCl₃. The experimental values were in good agreement with the theoretical values, thus indicating the potential applicability of (S)-1a and related diketopiperazines as chiral solvating agents in NMR spectroscopy.     

Asymmetric reductions of ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxobutanoate by yeasts

The stereoselective reduction of ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxobutanoate 1 using yeasts was investigated among a restricted number (12) of yeasts. Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis CL69 diastereoselectively produced (2R,3S)-ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate 2, whereas Pichia glucozyma CBS 5766 gave (2S,3S)-2 as the major stereoisomer. The biotransformations were independently optimized for minimizing by-product formation and maximizing the diastereoselectivity. Under optimized conditions, K. marxianus var. lactis CL 69 gave the (2R,3S)-ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate 2 with ee > 99% and de = 98%, while P. glucozyma CBS 5766 allowed for the production of (2S,3S)-2 with ee > 99% and de = 86%.     

Transformation of racemic ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate into the (R)-enantiomer exploiting lipase catalysis and inversion of configuration

Racemic ethyl 3-hydroxybutanoate rac-1 was transformed into ethyl (R)-acetoxybutanoate (ee = 92%) with 85–90% chemical yields using enantioselective acylation with isopropenyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B, Novozym 435) under solvent-free conditions, followed by mesylation of the unreacted (S)-alcohol in the reaction mixture and inversion of configuration with cesium acetate in DMF in one pot. When the (R)-acetoxybutanoate was subjected to alcoholysis with ethanol and CAL-B, enantiopure (R)-1 (ee >99%) was produced.     

Convenient double-enzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone

Both enantiomers of 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone (6-MeCL) are obtained in high enantiomeric excess by the combination of an enzymatic ring opening of racemic 6-methyl-ε-caprolactone and subsequent enzymatic ring closure. Immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozym 435) was selected as the biocatalyst for both the ring-opening and the ring-closing reaction. This route provides ready access to enantiopure (S)-6-MeCL (ee = 99.6%) and (R)-6-MeCL (ee = 98.8%).     

Preparation of various enantiomerically pure (benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols

(S)-(−)-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (S)-(−)-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols 7a–9a, 7b–9b and their (R)-(+)-acetates 10a–12a and 10b–12b were prepared in high enantiomeric excess via lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (Amano AK) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b with vinyl acetate in tert-butyl methyl ether or toluene at 23 °C. The enantioselectivity of this transformation was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain with E-values ranging from 30 to 57. Several benzotriazole substituted ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b were synthesized from 1H-benzotriazole and corresponding haloketones. These compounds were stereoselectively reduced with Baker’s yeast in water or in organic solvent containing 5% v/v of water at 30 °C to give the (S)-(−)-alcohol. Better stereoselectivity was observed in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b (ee = 69–92% at 44–52% conversion) compared to reduction of corresponding prochiral ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b with Baker’s yeast (ee = 40–67% at 39–89% conversion). Enhanced enantioselectivities were observed at lower temperatures.     

Synthesis of rigid and C2-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles bearing diamide–diester groups: enantiomeric recognition for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts

A series of rigid and chiral C₂-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles (S,S)-4, (S,S)-5, (S,S)-6 and (R,R)-2 bearing diamide–ester groups were synthesized. The binding properties of these macrocycles were examined for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorates salts by an ¹H NMR titration method. Taking into account the host employed, important differences were observed in the K_a values of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of guests for macrocycles (S,S)-4 and (S,S)-6, K_S/K_R = 3.6, and K_S/K_R = 0.1 (K_R/K_S = 10.3) ΔΔG = 3.19 and ΔΔG = ?5.77 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The results indicated excellent enantioselectivity of macrocyclic (S,S)-6 towards the enantiomers of α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts.     

Advanced procedure for the enzymatic ring opening of unsaturated alicyclic β-lactams

Enantiopure β-amino acids 1a–4a and β-lactams 1b–4b were prepared simultaneously through the lipolase-catalysed enantioselective ring opening of unsaturated racemic β-lactams (±)-1-(±)-4. High enantioselectivities (E>200) were observed when the reactions were performed with 1 equiv of water in iPr₂O at 70 °C. The resolved (1R,2S)-amino acids (yield⩾45%) and (1S,5R)-, (1S,6R)- and (1S,8R)-lactams (yield⩾47%) could be easily separated. The ring opening of lactam enantiomers 1b–4b with 18% HCl afforded the corresponding β-amino acid hydrochlorides 1c·HCl–4c·HCl (ee >95%).     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic and dynamic kinetic resolution of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid

A dynamic kinetic resolution method for the preparation of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid (R)-2 was developed involving the CAL-B-catalyzed enantioselective hydrolysis of the corresponding ethyl ester (±)-1 in toluene/acetonitrile (4:1) containing 1 equiv of added water and 0.25 equiv of dipropylamine. This method allowed the preparation of (R)-2 (ee = 96%) with 80% isolated yield. The kinetic resolution of (±)-1 in diisopropyl ether at 3 °C afforded both enantiomers with ee ⩾92%.     

Continuous-flow enzymatic resolution strategy for the acylation of amino alcohols with a remote stereogenic centre: synthesis of calycotomine enantiomers

Both enantiomers of calycotomine (R)-5 and (S)-5 were prepared through the CAL-B-catalysed asymmetric O-acylation of N-Boc-protected (6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-1-yl)methanol [(±)-3)]. The optimum conditions for the enzymatic resolution were determined under continuous-flow conditions, while the preparative-scale resolution of (±)-3 was performed as a batch reaction with high enantioselectivity (E >200). The resulting amino alcohol (S)-3 and amino ester (R)-4, obtained with high enantiomeric excess (ee = 99%), were transformed into the desired calycotomine (S)-5 and (R)-5 (ee = 99%). A systematic study was carried out in a continuous-flow system on the O-acylation of tetrahydroisoquinoline amino alcohol homologues (±)-1 to (±)-3 containing a remote stereogenic centre.     

A green route to enantioenriched (S)-arylalkyl carbinols by deracemization via combined lipase alkaline-hydrolysis/Mitsunobu esterification

Herein we report results of the chemoenzymatic deracemization of a range of secondary benzylic acetates 1a–9a via a sequence of hydrolysis with CAL-B lipase in non-conventional media, combined with esterification of the recovered alcohol according to the Mitsunobu protocol following an enzymatic kinetic resolution (KR). The KR of racemic acetates 1a–9a via an enzymatic hydrolysis, with CAL-B lipase and Na₂CO₃, in non-aqueous media was optimized and gave high selectivities (E ? 200) at good conversions (C >49%) for all of the substrates studied. This method competes well with the traditional one performed in a phosphate buffer solution. The deracemization using Mitsunobu inversion gave the (S)-acetates in moderate to excellent enantiomeric excess 75% < ee < 99%, in acceptable isolated yields 70% < yield < 89%, and with some variations according to the acetate structure.     

Solid state properties of 1,2-epoxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyloxy)-propane—valuable intermediate in non-racemic drug synthesis

Racemic 1,2-epoxy-3-(2-methoxyphenyloxy)-propane 1 undergoes spontaneous resolution upon crystallization. This fact is confirmed by coincidence of the IR spectra of racemic and scalemic crystalline samples of 1, by thermal analysis (single eutectic V-shape binary melting phase diagram), and X-ray analysis (space group P2₁2₁2₁, Z = 4). Racemic 1 could be resolved into (S)-(+)- and (R)-(−)-1 by a preferential crystallization procedure.     

Chiral para-alkyl phenyl ethers of glycerol: synthesis and testing of chirality driven crystallization,liquid crystal,and gelating properties

A series of enantiopure and racemic p-alkylphenyl glycerol ethers 1a–k were synthesized. A new, sensitive, and pictorial method of comparison of the IR spectra of solid enantiopure and racemic samples was developed to obtain preliminary information on the crystallization types of these compounds. In order to detect the subtle differences in the organization of the chiral solid phase, a new easily implemented approach, based on a chromatographic measuring of the relative abundance of the enantiomers in a single solution in equilibrium with a solid sample of arbitrary (0 < ee < 1) composition, is reported. One new conglomerate compound (Alk = n-Pr) and one borderline case (Alk = n-Bu) are disclosed. Higher members of the series of 1 (starting with an n-Bu derivative) are turned into liquid crystals upon melting; no significant differences between racemic and non-racemic samples were found. Only enantiopure methyl-, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, and n-heptyl substituted 1 were able to form supramolecular gels in hydrocarbon solvents; all racemic ethers 1 did not show such ability.     

Heterocycles 35. CaL-B mediated synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-ethyl 3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoates

Herein we present the lipase catalyzed synthesis of four new enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-ethyl 3-(2-arylthiazol-4-yl)-3-hydroxypropanoates and their butanoates by enzymatic enantioselective acylation of the racemic alcohols rac-1a–d and by ethanolysis of the corresponding racemic esters rac-2a–d mediated by lipase B from Candida antarctica (CaL-B) in organic solvents. In terms of stereoselectivity and activity, both procedures, the acylation and alcoholysis, are successful (50% conversion, E ≫ 200). The absolute configuration of the resolution products was determined by a detailed ¹H NMR study of the Mosher’s derivatives of (S)-1a.     

Copper(I) complexes of heterocyclic thiourea ligands

The coordination of heterocyclic thiourea ligands (L = N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (1), N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (2), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (3), N-(3-pyridyl)-N′-methylthiourea (4), N-(4-pyridyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (5), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-phenylthiourea (6), N-(2-pyrimidyl)-N′-methylthiourea (7), N-(2-thiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (8), N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N′-methylthiourea (9), N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)thiourea (10) and N,N′-bis(3-pyridyl)thiourea (11)) with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I, NO₃) has been investigated. CuX:L product stoichiometries of 1:1–1:5 were found, with 1:1 being most common. X-ray structures of four 3-coordinate mononuclear CuXL₂ complexes (CuCl(6)₂, CuCl(7)₂, CuBr(6)₂, and CuBr(9)₂) are reported. In contrast, CuBr(1)₂ is a 1D sulfur-bridged polymer. CuIL structures (L = 7, 8) are 1D chains with corner-sharing Cu₂(μ-I)₂ and Cu₂(μ-S)₂ units, and CuCl(10) is a 2D network having μ-Cl and N-/S-bridging L. Two [CuL₂]NO₃ structures are reported: a mononuclear 4-coordinate copper complex with chelating ligands (L = 10) and a 1D link-chain with N-/S-bridging L (L = 3). Two ligand oxidative cyclizations were encountered during crystallization. CuI crystallized with 6 to produce zigzag ladder polymer [(CuI)₂(12)]·½CH₃CN (12 = N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzo[d]thiazol-2-amine) and CuNO₃ crystallized with 10 to form [Cu₂(NO₃)(13)₂(MeCN)]NO₃ (13 = dipyridyltetraazathiapentalene).     

Enantioselective reduction of propiophenone formed from 3-chloropropiophenone and stereoinversion of the resulting alcohols in selected yeast cultures

Biotransformation of 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-one 1 in sixteen selected cultures of yeast strains has been carried out. For most of the biocatalysts studied the substrate was fully consumed after 1–9 h of transformation, with the exception of the culture of Saccharomyces brasiliensis KCh 905, in which after 24 h trace amounts of the substrate were still visible (2%). However, apart from the expected enantiospecific reduction of the substrate to 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-ol 3, the main biotransformation products comprised of a dehalogenation product—propiophenone 2 and the product of its reduction—1-phenylpropan-1-ol 4. It was only in the cultures of five strains: Saccharomyces brasiliensis KCh 905, Rhodotorula marina KCh 77, Candida parapsilosis KCh 909, Candida viswanathii KCh 120, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae KCh 464 that 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-ol 3 was observed in amounts of more than 10% of the product mixture. (S)-3-Chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-ol with ee = 91% was identified after 9 h of biotransformation in the culture of Candida viswanathii KCh 120, whereas (R)-3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-ol with ee = 28% was found in the culture of Aphanocladium album KCh 417. 1-Day biotransformation of propiophenone 2 in the cultures of Rhodotorula strains gave (S)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol 4 with a very high ee (95–99%) and 85–99% of substrate conversion, whereas transformation of this substrate in the cultures of Candida viswanathii KCh 120 and Candida parapsilosis KCh 909 led to (R)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol with ee = 98% and 97%, respectively. During biotransformation of propiophenone the percent composition of the reaction mixtures changed with time. Employment of the racemic mixture of 1-phenylpropan-1-ol 4 as a substrate for biotransformations allowed us to observe that the biocatalysts tested were capable of enantioselective oxidation of (S)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol. An exception was the culture of Rhodotorula glutinis KCh 242, in which after one day of biotransformation (S)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol was obtained with ee = 96%.     

Resolution of 1-cyclohexylethylamine via diastereomeric salt formation with enantiopure 2-phenylacetic acids

The resolution of 1-cyclohexylethylamine 1 with enantiopure 2-phenylacetic acids via diastereomeric salt formation was investigated. (R)-2-Methoxy-2-phenylacetic acid 3 and the (S)-2-phenylpropionic acid 5 were found to be efficient resolving agents for obtaining the single enantiomer (S)-1 as the correspondingly less-soluble diastereomeric salt (resolution efficiency = 48% and 52%, respectively).     

Enthalpic changes on mixing two couples of S- and R-enantiomers of benzyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amine, 1-phenylethylamine, 1-phenyl-ethanol,butyric acid oxiranylmethyl ester, 4-methyl-[1,3]dioxolan-2-one, 2-chloro-methyloxirane and 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid methyl ester at T = 298.15 K

Enthalpies of mixing of (R)- and (S)-enantomers of liquid chiral compounds such as benzyl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-amine (1), 1-phenylethylamine (2), 1-phenyl-ethanol (3), butyric acid oxiranylmethyl ester (4), 4-methyl-[1,3]dioxolan-2-one (5), 2-Chloromethyloxirane (6) and 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid methyl ester (7) have been measured over the whole range of mole fractions at 298.15 K, albeit very small values. Mixing of heterochiral liquids of R-1 + S-1, R-5 + S-5, and R-7 + S-7 realized enthalpic stabilization over the whole range of mole fractions, whereas that of R-2 + S-2, R-3 + S-3, R-4 + S-4, and R-6 + S-6 realized enthalpic destabilization over entire compositions. The extreme values of enthalpies of mixing and the intermolecular interaction obtained by the molecular mechanics calculations showed a linear correlation, except few the compounds measured.