Kinetic resolution of P-stereogenic phosphine boranes via deprotonation using s-butyllithium/(−)-sparteine

The attempted kinetic resolution of racemic secondary phosphine boranes [t-BuPhP(BH₃)H and t-BuMeP(BH₃)H] by P–H deprotonation using 0.5 equiv of s-BuLi and (?)-sparteine was unsuccessful and generated racemic benzyl bromide-trapped adducts in 42–49% yield. In contrast, an efficient kinetic resolution was observed with racemic tertiary phosphine boranes [t-BuPhP(BH₃)Me and t-BuEtP(BH₃)Me] by C–H deprotonation on the P–Me group using 0.5 or 0.6 equiv of s-BuLi and (?)-sparteine. For example, the use of 0.6 equiv of s-BuLi/(?)-sparteine with t-BuEtP(BH₃)Me and trapping with DMF gave the (R)-aldehyde adduct in 37% yield and 83:17 er together with recovered (R)-t-BuEtP(BH₃)Me in 44% yield and 74:26 er. These are the first examples of kinetic resolution of P-stereogenic phosphine boranes via deprotonation using s-BuLi/(?)-sparteine.     

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%.     

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%).     

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%).     

Enantioselective kinetic resolution of 3-phenyl-2-ketones using Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases

The enantioselective kinetic resolution of two 3-phenyl-2-ketones using four different Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMO) expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli was studied. The highest enantioselectivity (E = 82) was achieved for 3-phenyl-2-butanone using a BVMO originating from Pseudomonas fluorescens. A BVMO from Pseudomonas putida showed an opposite (R)-enantiopreference and E = 12.     

CaL-B a highly selective biocatalyst for the kinetic resolution of furylbenzthiazole-2-yl-ethanols and acetates

A highly stereoselective enzymatic kinetic resolution of novel various substituted racemic furylbenzthiazole-2-yl-ethanols and their acetates has been developed. Both processes, the enzymatic acylation of the racemic alcohols and the enzymatic methanolysis of racemic acetates yielded highly enantiomerically enriched (ee >98%) resolution product, when CaL-B was used as a biocatalyst in acetonitrile. The absolute configuration of the obtained (R)-(+)-1-(5-(4-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)furan-2-yl)ethanol was determined by a detailed ¹H NMR study of rac- and (+)-1-(5-(4-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)furan-2-yl)ethanol Mosher derivatives.     

Enzymatic transesterification of pharmacologically interesting β-aminocycloalkanol precursors

Chemoenzymatic syntheses of both enantiomers of cis- and trans-2-aminocyclopentanol as well as cis- and trans-2-aminocyclohexanol, which are valuable building blocks for a plethora of ligands and pharmaceuticals have been efficiently carried out. The strategy involves the stereospecific syntheses of racemic aminocycloalkanol precursors via tagging of a phthalimide as a masking group and subsequent lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution. Most of the lipases exhibited excellent enantioselectivity (E ? 200) in the transesterification reactions of trans-derivatives, with both N-protected (R,R)-amino acetates and (S,S)-amino alcohols being isolated in enantiopure form. With regard to cis-derivatives, lipases were also very selective, even though the biotransformations were significantly slower.     

A green resolution–separation process for aliphatic secondary alcohols

In order to obtain both enantiomers of aliphatic secondary alcohols via a greener method, the four-step resolution–separation process involving lipase-catalyzed enantioselective esterification and hydrolysis as well as two separation procedures both via heterogeneous azeotropic distillation was developed. (S)-2-Pentanol (ee = 98.6%), (R)-2-pentanol (ee >99%), (S)-2-octanol (ee = 98.2%), and (R)-2-octanol (ee = 98.5%) were all produced in high purity (>98%) and high yield (>90%). In addition to the two model substrates, this method could also be applied to the resolution of other aliphatic secondary alcohols.     

Asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically pure zingerols by lipase-catalyzed transesterification and efficient synthesis of their analogues

The achiral zingerone 1, readily available from ginger, can be easily transformed into chiral derivatives. Zingerol 2, a reduced product of zingerone 1 is expected to be an important new medicinal lead compound. We have achieved a concise synthesis of optically active zingerol (R)-2 and (S)-2 by the lipase-catalyzed stereoselective transesterification of racemic 2. Under the optimized conditions, a lipase from Alcaligenes sp. (Meito QLM) and vinyl acetate in i-Pr₂O or hexane at 35 °C within 1 h gave the alcohol (S)-2 and the acetate (R)-9 with high enantioselectivity without producing acetylated by-products. Since optically active (S)-2 and (R)-9 were obtained through lipase-catalyzed transesterification, other enantiomerically pure novel compounds could all be synthesized.     

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%).     

Six-coordinate uranium complexes featuring a bidentate anilide ligand

The synthesis of a new bidentate anilide ligand and four uranium amide complexes utilizing the ligand are reported. The secondary aniline HN[R]Ar_MeL (R = C(CD₃)₂CH₃, Ar_MeL = 2-NMe₂-5-MeC₆H₃) is prepared by condensation of H₂NAr_MeL and acetone-d₆ followed by alkylation of the resulting imine with MeLi. The ligand precursors (Et₂O)Li(N[R]Ar_MeL) and K(N[R]Ar_MeL) are prepared through deprotonation of HN[R]Ar_MeL with n-BuLi and KH, respectively. Treatment of UI₃(THF)₄ with (Et₂O)Li(N[R]Ar_MeL) (2 equiv) provides the uranium(III) -ate complex Li[I₂U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₂] (Li[1]), while treatment of UI₃ with three equiv. of K(N[R]Ar_MeL) provides the neutral uranium(III) complex U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₃ (2). Both uranium(III) complexes are susceptible to 1e oxidation, as is demonstrated by the syntheses of the uranium(IV) derivatives I₂U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₂ (1) and [U(N[R]Ar_MeL)₃][OTf] ([2][OTf]; OTf = CF₃SO₃). The spectroscopic and X-ray structural characterization of all four uranium complexes is described. The structures of 2 and [2][OTf] exhibit a large degree of steric pressure about the uranium center, effectively preventing the [2]⁺ ion from achieving a seven-coordinate structure.     

Co-crystal of (R,R)-1,2-cyclohexanediol with (R,R)-tartaric acid,a key structure in resolution of the (±)-trans-diol by supercritical extraction,and the related ternary phase system

A novel co-crystal of trans-(R,R)-1,2-cyclohexanediol and (R,R)-tartaric acid (with 1:1 molar ratio, 1) has been found to be a key crystalline compound in the improved resolution of (±)-trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol by supercritical fluid extraction. The molecular and crystal structure of this co-crystal, which crystallizes in orthorhombic crystal system (space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 6.7033(13) Å, b = 7.2643(16), c = 24.863(5), Z = 4), has been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction (R = 0.064). The packing arrangement consists of two dimensional layers of sandwich-like sheets, where the inner part is constructed by double layers of tartaric acids which hydrophilicity is “covered” on both upper and bottom side by cyclohexanediols with the hydrophobic cyclohexane rings pointing outward. Thus, a rather complex hydrogen bonding pattern is constructed. The relatively high melting point (133 °C) observed by both simultaneous TG/DTA and DSC, and the main features of FTIR-spectrum of 1 are explained by the increased stability of this crystal structure. DSC studies on binary mixtures of co-crystal 1 with (R,R)-1,2-cyclohexanediol or (R,R)-tartaric acid, revealed eutectic temperatures of T_eu = 100 or 131 °C, respectively. Between (S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediol and (R,R)-tartaric acid a eutectic temperature of T_eu = 85 °C have also been observed. The phase relations have been confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, as well.     

The scope and limitation of the regio- and enantioselective hydrolysis of aliphatic epoxides using Bacillus subtilis epoxide hydrolase,and exploration toward chirally differentiated tris(hydroxymethyl)methanol

The substrate specificity of an engineered Bacillus subtilis epoxide hydrolase, which so far had shown high activity and enantioselectivity with 1-benzyloxymethyl-1-methyloxirane, has been studied by altering the methyl substituent into hydrogen, oxygen-containing functionalities, and unsaturated homologs. High enantioselectivity (E = 44) was observed with 1-benzyloxymethyl-1-vinyloxirane with a proper catalytic activity. The elaboration of the reaction conditions and work-up procedures enabled a preparative-scale kinetic resolution, to give (R)-2-benzyloxymethyl-3-butene-1,2-diol and its antipodal (R)-epoxide in high ees.     

Trichosporon beigelli esterase (TBE): a versatile esterase for the resolution of economically important racemates

A hydrolase producing strain Trichosporon beigelli esterase (TBE) isolated from local cottage cheese in its native form has displayed versatility and high efficacy in the kinetic resolution of a wide range of economically important substrates, which include racemic secondary alcohols, such as 1-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)ethanol (E ∼ 316), 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)ethanol and pentanol (E ∼ 180 and 156 resp.), and alkyl esters of carboxylic acids such as ibuprofen (E ∼ 340), 2-(benzylthio)propanoic acid (E ∼ 1000). In other substrates such as in the primary alcohol 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propan-1-ol and carboxylic acids such as 2-(5-bromo-6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propanoic acid, 2-(2-naphthyloxy)propanoic acid, and substituted 2-thiopropanoic acids, it displayed moderate to low selectivity. Commercial lipases such as CCL, PPL, and PSL were also used in the resolution of the substrates for comparative studies.     

Kinetic resolution of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-phenyl-2-isoxazoline by using the ‘low-temperature method’ with porous ceramic-immobilized lipase

A significant enhancement of the enantioselectivity (E value = 249) in the lipase-catalyzed resolution of a primary alcohol, racemic 5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-phenyl-2-isoxazoline (±)-1, was obtained by using the ‘low-temperature method’ (−60 °C) with porous ceramic-immobilized lipase (Amano PS-C II) and vinyl acetate in acetone.     

Naphthyl-l-α-amino acids via chemo-enzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution

A double catalyst system (protease + base) was applied to the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of isomeric 1- and 2-α-naphthyl-glycines and -alanines exploiting the in situ racemization of their thioesters. Due to the different C-acidity of the two sets of compounds, different experimental conditions have been devised to perform the simultaneous resolution/racemization process.In all cases, the racemic N-Boc-thioesters were converted into the aminoacids with an l-configuration almost quantitatively and with complete enantioselectivity.     

Resolution of N-methylamphetamine enantiomers with tartaric acid derivatives by supercritical fluid extraction

The resolution of N-methylamphetamine (MA) was carried out with the resolution agents O,O′-dibenzoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid monohydrate (DBTA) and O,O′-di-p-toluoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid (DPTTA). After partial diastereomeric salt formation, the unreacted enantiomers were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The effects of resolution agent molar ratio to the racemic mixture (mr), extraction pressure (P) and temperature (T) on the resolution efficiency were studied. The best chiral separation was obtained at a quarter of an equivalent resolution agent molar ratio for both resolution agents. Extraction conditions [pressure (100–200 bar), temperature (33–63 °C)] did not influence the resolution efficiency, which makes the enantiomer separation robust. In one extraction step, both enantiomers can be produced with high enantiomeric excess (ee) and remarkable yield (Y). Using DBTA as a resolution agent ee_E=83%, Y_E=45% for the extract and ee_R=82%, Y_R=42% for the raffinate were obtained.     

Synthesis of diastereo- and enantiomerically pure anti-3-methyl-1,4-pentanediol via lipase catalysed acylation

Racemic trans-4,5-dimethylhydrofuran-2(3H)-one was synthesised from 5-methyl-furan-2(3H)-one, (α-angelica lactone). The key reaction in the synthesis was the 1,4-conjugate addition of an organocuprate to 5-methylfuran-2(5H)-one (β-angelica lactone). Different types of organocuprates were tested with the highest anti:syn ratio of 99.4:0.6 being obtained by the use of a Gilman organocuprate reagent. The enantioselective acylation of racemic 3-methyl-pentan-1,4-diol, catalysed by a variety of lipases in organic media, was investigated. The highest enantioselectivity (E > 400) was obtained when Novozyme 435 was used as the catalyst at a water activity of a_w ∼ 0. Thus, both enantiomers, (3S,4R)- and (3R,4S)-3-methyl-pentan-1,4-diol, were obtained in very high diastereomeric (>99% de) and enantiomeric purities (>99.8% and >97.4% ee, respectively).     

Diastereomeric 2-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane mandelates: phase diagrams and resolution

The diastereomeric salts of (R)- and (S)-2-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane with unichiral mandelic acid form a simple eutectic, whose binary phase melting point diagram shows the unique eutectic at 0.35 M ratio of the less soluble diastereomer. Such an eutectic composition, near to 0.5, is consistent with the modest efficiency previously reported for their separation via crystallization from ethanol/ethyl acetate. However, the ternary solubility phase diagram, obtained from solubility measurements in methanol, shifts the eutectic to a lower molar ratio (0.10) of the less soluble diastereomer, thus indicating an optimal resolvability of the diastereomeric mandelates. This was confirmed by the highly efficient resolution of racemic 2-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane with (R)-mandelic acid via a single crystallization from methanol. The ready availability of both the racemic substrate and the resolving acid makes this simple and efficient resolution procedure very attractive to obtain the enantiomers of 2-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane, which are important synthetic intermediates.     

‘Easy-on,easy-off’ resolution of chiral 1-phenylethylamine catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B

An ‘easy-on, easy-off’ process for the effective resolution of (±)-1-phenylethylamine was designed using the lipase B of Candida antarctica. This two step lipase-catalyzed process for the resolution of a chiral arylalkylamine involves a high-conversion enantioselective condensation of (R)-(+)-1-phenylethylamine with capric acid (conversion 99%, <24 h), followed by the hydrolysis of the corresponding synthesized (R)-(+)-amide (conversion 98%, 48 h). As a result, this efficient enzymatic process yields both (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 1-phenylethylamine in high enantiomeric purity.