Chemoenzymatic asymmetric synthesis of fluoxetine,atomoxetine, nisoxetine,and duloxetine

The asymmetric synthesis of two well-known anti-depressant drugs, fluoxetine and duloxetine has been accomplished in a chemoenzymatic manner. The main highlight of the synthesis is the enantioselective cyanohydrin formation by a plant (R)-HNL (hydroxynitrile lyase). The enantiopure cyanohydrins are then synthetically manipulated into the above two drug molecules and two of their structural analogues, atomoxetine and nisoxetine.