Enantioselective synthesis of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans based on a ‘cyclization/enzymatic resolution’ strategy

Enantiomerically pure 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans have been prepared by TiCl₄ mediated enantiospecific reactions of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with enantiomerically pure epichlorohydrin. In addition, the enzymatic kinetic resolution of 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofurans, using Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL-B), was studied. Enzymatic kinetic resolution of monocyclic 5-vinyl-2-alkylidenetetrahydrofuran with CAL-B afforded the enantiomerically pure ester with 97% ee. For a bicyclic 2-alkylidenetetrahydrofuran, this proceeded with excellent enantioselectivity (E >100) affording the enantiomerically pure acid with 98% ee. 2-Alkylidenetetrahydrofurans were prepared by [3+2] cyclization reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl dianions (‘free dianions’) or 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers (‘masked dianions’).     

Total Synthesis of the Four Enantiomerically Pure Diasteroisomers of the Phytoprostanes E1Type II and of the 15-E2t-Isoprostanes

Syntheses of the four enantiomerically pure diastereoisomers of the phytoprostanes E1 type II and 15-E2t-isoprostanes (1-4) are described. The key steps included the preparation of the Fre?manis (+/-)-hydroxycyclopentenone 5, enzymatic resolution of this racemic hydroxycyclopentenone, Wittig and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) coupling reactions and finally enantioselective reductions.     

An efficient synthesis of 3(S)-aminopiperidine-5(R)-carboxylic acid as a cyclic β,γ′-diamino acid

An orthogonally protected β,γ′-diamino acid 6 possessing conformationally-constrained ring system was synthesized as a novel cyclic amino acid analogue. This synthesis involves as key steps chemoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of cis-piperidine-3,5-dicarboxylic ester derivative followed by efficient kinetic resolution of the partially resolved half-acid to afford the C₁-symmetric piperidine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid monoester in high enantiomeric excess (>98% ee). The optically active half-acid was transformed to the cyclic amino acid via Curtius-type rearrangement.     

Synthesis of Optically Active α-Methyl β-Hydroperoxy Esters by Diastereoselective Singlet Oxygen Ene Reaction and Horseradish Peroxidase Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution

 Optically active diastereomeric β-hydroperoxy esters 4 have been prepared by singlet oxygen ene reaction of β,γ-unsaturated esters 3 and subsequent horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzed kinetic resolution of the ene product. The highest enantiomeric excess (up to 95%) has been obtained for the isopropyl ester threo-4c, which establishes that the size of the remote ester functionality exercises appreciable control in the enantioselectivity of the enzymatic kinetic resolution.     

Synthesis,characterization and assignment of the absolute configuration of 4,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acid and its esters: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation

The synthesis of a new, optically active, paraconic-acid derivative 4,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylic acid and its methyl and ethyl esters was accomplished by a procedure involving the kinetic enzymatic resolution of the racemic ethyl ester. Thus, ethyl (+)-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate, derived from a ring fission, was isolated at low conversion values, with 94% ee using HLAP as the enzymatic source. The corresponding enantiomerically pure acid was also obtained.The absolute configuration of the products was determined based on the results of an extensive computational study of the specific rotation of the acid and methyl ester. Four different wavelengths were considered and comparisons with the sign and magnitude of the corresponding experimental observations were carried out. Solvent effects on both the conformational space and the specific rotation were included in the computations using the Polarizable Continuum Model.The assigned absolute configuration of the title compounds is (R)-(+), which is in agreement with a tentative experimental assignment based on an analysis of the circular dichroism curves.     

Lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of (RS)-hydroxy tellurides

The enzymatic resolution of racemic mixtures of hydroxy tellurides with a range of lipases has been investigated. Lipase-B from Candida antarctica (CALB) gave the best conversions, providing both enantiomers with high enantiomeric purity. A comparative study of the effect of solvent and substrate on the enzymatic kinetic resolution was performed.     

Synthesis of Optically Active α-Methyl β-Hydroperoxy Esters by Diastereoselective Singlet Oxygen Ene Reaction and Horseradish Peroxidase Catalyzed Kinetic Resolution

Summary.  Optically active diastereomeric β-hydroperoxy esters 4 have been prepared by singlet oxygen ene reaction of β,γ-unsaturated esters 3 and subsequent horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzed kinetic resolution of the ene product. The highest enantiomeric excess (up to 95%) has been obtained for the isopropyl ester threo-4c, which establishes that the size of the remote ester functionality exercises appreciable control in the enantioselectivity of the enzymatic kinetic resolution. Received December 20, 1999. Accepted (revised) February 11, 2000     

Enzyme mediated kinetic resolution of δ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated esters as a route to optically active δ-lactones

A novel synthetic route to optically active saturated and unsaturated δ-lactones based on enzymatic kinetic resolution and ring-closing metathesis reactions has been proposed. The influence of temperature, co-solvent, organic additives and the substrate structure on the catalytic behavior of selected hydrolases was studied. The substantial impact of the organic co-solvent and surfactant type on the enzymatic activity and enantioselectivity was observed providing enantiomerically pure δ-hydroxy-α,β-unsaturated esters. The established protocol combining enzymatic kinetic resolution with ring closing metathesis was successfully applied in the synthesis of the enantiomerically pure (6R)-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one which plays crucial role in the synthesis of the number of bioactive compounds.     

Removal of the acyl donor residue allows the use of simple alkyl esters as acyl donors for the dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols

The dynamic kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols using a lipase and a ruthenium catalyst as developed by Bäckvall required some improvements to make it suitable for its use in an industrial process. The use of p-chlorophenyl acetate as acyl donor is not desirable in view of the toxicity of the side product. We herein report that simple alkyl esters can be used as acyl donors if the alcohol or ketone residue formed during the enzymatic acylation is continuously removed during the reaction. The addition of a ketone speeds up the racemisation process and allowed us to reduce the amounts of enzyme and ruthenium catalyst. The scope of this method was explored and a suitable range of acyl donors found. Various benzylic and aliphatic alcohols were reacted using isopropyl butyrate or methyl phenylacetate as acyl donor and in most cases the ester was isolated in >95% yield and 99% ee. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the alcohol by-products of the enzymatic resolution could be used as the hydrogen source in the asymmetric reductive transesterification of ketones.     

Low-temperature enzymatic hydrolysis resolution in mini-emulsion media

A low-temperature mini-emulsion medium for the enzymatic resolution of 1-phenylethanol is described for the first time. The enzymatic hydrolysis resolution of 1-phenylethyl esters with different chain-lengths in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase B in mini-emulsion media was shown to be significantly controlled by temperature. In this system, the direct effect of temperature on the mini-emulsion size was observed. For the longer 1-phenylethyl ester, 1-phenylethyl dodecanoate, the enzymatic resolution was promoted exclusively at low temperatures. The preparative mini-emulsion enzymatic reaction of 1-phenylethyl dodecanoate at 4 °C afforded the isolation of (R)-phenylethanol with a yield of 36 % with an ee of 99 %. (S)-Phenylethanol was isolated with a 51 % yield with an ee of 79 %.     

Synthesis of optically active β-benzyl-γ-butyrolactone through lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution

The lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of the racemic γ-hydroxy ester 2, coupled with subsequent acid-mediated cyclization, is an effective method for the synthesis of both enantiomers of β-benzyl-γ-butyrolactone 1. This enzymatic process affords the product with high enantiomeric excess under mild reaction conditions and does not require optically active starting materials.     

Parallel kinetic resolution of 2-methoxy and 2-phenoxy-substituted carboxylic acids using a combination of quasi-enantiomeric oxazolidinones

2-Methoxy-2-phenyl acetic acid and 2-phenoxy-2-phenylpropionic acid were resolved by the parallel kinetic resolution of their corresponding pentafluorophenyl active ester using a quasi-enantiomeric combination of lithiated oxazolidinones.     

Enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-largazole, a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylase

An enantioselective total synthesis of the cytotoxic natural product (+)-largazole (1) is described. It is a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor. Our synthesis is convergent and involves the assembly of thiazole 3-derived carboxylic acid with amino ester 4 followed by cycloamidation of the corresponding amino acid. The synthesis features an efficient cross-metathesis, an enzymatic kinetic resolution of a beta-hydroxy ester, a selective removal of a Boc-protecting group, a HATU/HOAt-promoted cycloamidation reaction, and synthetic manipulations to a sensitive thioester functional group.     

Desymmetrisation of (4R,5S)-4,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2-thione using pentafluorophenyl active esters

(4R,5S)-4,5-Diphenylimidazolidine-2-thione is efficiently desymmetrised by stereorandom deprotonation with NaHMDS, followed by kinetic resolution of the resulting racemic intermediate with an enantiomerically pure pentafluorophenyl active ester. The levels of diastereocontrol were found to be excellent (86-92% de at ∼30% conversion). This desymmetrisation reaction is an example of a masked resolution.     

Intensification of Double Kinetic Resolution of Chiral Amines and Alcohols via Chemoselective Formation of a Carbonate–Enzyme Intermediate

Chiral amines and alcohols are synthons of numerous pharmaceutically-relevant compounds. The previously developed enzymatic kinetic resolution approaches utilize a chiral racemic molecule and achiral acyl donor (or acyl acceptor). Thus, only one enantiodivergent step of the catalytic cycle is engaged, which does not fully exploit the enzyme’s abilities. The first carbonate-mediated example of simultaneous double chemoselective kinetic resolution of chiral amines and alcohols is described. Herein, we established a biocatalytic approach towards four optically-pure compounds (>99% ee, Enantioselectivity: E > 200) via double enzymatic kinetic resolution, engaging chiral organic carbonates as acyl donors. High enantioselectivity was ensured by extraordinary chemoselectivity in lipase-catalyzed formation of unsymmetrical organic carbonates and engaged in a process applicable for the synthesis of enantiopure organic precursors of valuable compounds. This study focused not only on preparative synthesis, but additionally the catalytic mechanism was discussed and the clear impact of this rarely observed carbonate-derived acyl enzyme was shown. The presented protocol is characterized by atom efficiency, acyl donor sustainability, easy acyl group removal, mild reaction conditions, and biocatalyst recyclability, which significantly decreases the cost of the reported process.     

Enzymatic methods for the preparation of enantiopure malic and aspartic acid derivatives in organic solvents

The kinetic resolution of malic and aspartic acid diesters as well as of its N-butanoyl dimethyl ester by highly regioselective lipases and acylase I enzymes were studied. Candida antarctica lipase A on Celite catalyzed the enantioselective acylation of the hydroxyl and amino groups. Acylase I from Aspergillus melleus and Candida antarctica lipase B catalyzed the enantioselective alcoholyses of the ester groups at the α- and β-positions, respectively.     

Chemoenzymatic preparation of the enantiomers of β-tryptophan ethyl ester and the β-amino nitrile analogue

Racemic α-tryptophan was chemoselectively transformed into the enantiomers of β-tryptophan ethyl ester. The key step in achieving enantiopurity was the N-acylation of the 3-amino-4-(3-indolyl)butanenitrile intermediate with Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A). The enzymatic N-acylation of racemic β-tryptophan ethyl ester was also studied. CAL-A was highly (R)-enantioselective in the present kinetic resolutions, leading to a mixture of the butanamide product with an (R)-configuration and the unreacted starting material with an (S)-configuration at 50% conversion.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 2-hydroxy-1-indanone,a key precursor of enantiomerically pure 1-amino-2-indanol

Enantiomerically pure (R)- or (S)-2-hydroxy-1-indanone was synthesized by enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic 2-acetoxy-1-indanone through hydrolysis or transesterification.     

A new chemoenzymatic approach to the synthesis of chiral 4-aryl-1,4-dihydro-2H-isoquinolines via the enzymatic resolution of 2-acetyl-4-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-isoquinolin-3-one

A new chemoenzymatic method is proposed for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure 4-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-isoquinolines based on the enzymatic kinetic resolution of 2-acetyl-4-phenyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-isoquinolin-3-one. For the enzymatic resolution of the racemic substrate, readily available ‘home made’ animal liver acetone powders (LAPs) were used. Excellent enantioselectivity, exceeding 500, was achieved in a short reaction time upon application of turkey liver acetone powder as the biocatalyst. Reduction of obtained product led to the formation of amine (R)-1, which is hardly available using standard procedures. These results show that N-acetyl lactams are a new type of substrate for enzymatic biotransformations.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2-phenylproline framework

Highly diastereoselective (>20:1) bromo-lactonization of N-sulfonyl-2-allyl-2-phenylglycine methyl ester (11) was observed. Successive treatment of the chiral lactone with MeONa gave the desired (2S,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-phenylproline derivative in high yield without erosion of the diastereoselectivity. The starting chiral non-racemic compound (5) was prepared from the racemic 2-phenylglycine using a classical kinetic resolution (crystallization), an asymmetric phase transfer alkylation, and an enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution.