Highly enantioselective enzymatic resolution of aromatic β-amino acid amides with Pd-catalyzed racemization

The kinetic resolution of an aromatic β-amino acid amide 3a–d via N-acylation was explored with two lipases, Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA) and Pseudomonas stutzeri lipase (PSL). The PSL-catalyzed resolution proceeded with excellent enantioselectivity (E = >400) to give both acylated products and unreacted substrates in enantiopure forms. Three additional aromatic β-amino acid amides 3b–d were also resolved by PSL with a high level of enantioselectivity (E = >200). The PSL-catalyzed resolution of 3a was coupled with a Pd-catalyzed racemization to obtain enantiopure N-acylated product (R)-4a (>99% ee) in high yield (90%).     

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.     

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.     

Chemoenzymatic approach to enantiopure piperidine-based β-amino esters in organic solvents

This research concentrates on the enantioselectivities of lipase-catalysed reactions with methyl esters of 2-piperidylacetic acid and 3-piperidinecarboxylic acid derivatives. N-Acetylated 2-piperidylacetic acid methyl ester displayed good enantioselectivity (E = 66) in a 1:1 mixture of diisopropyl ether and butyl butanoate in the presence of lipase PS-C II from Burkholderia cepacia. The reaction is known as interesterification with butyl butanoate rather than alcoholysis with the butanol, because butyl butanoate has to be first hydrolysed or go through alcoholysis with MeOH in order to release butanol. Other N-protective groups (Boc, Ns, Fmoc and Bzn) gave excellent enantioselectivity (E >200) under the same conditions, and a gram-scale resolution was performed with N-Boc-2-piperidylacetic acid methyl ester. Reaction with a 3-piperidylcarboxylic acid derivative took place with disappointingly low enantioselectivity (E = 4), with Candida antarctica lipase B being the best of the lipases screened.     

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.     

New β-amino thiols as efficient catalysts for highly enantioselective alkenylzinc addition to aldehydes

A series of new optically active β-amino thiols and thiolacetates prepared from the simple natural amino acid, (S)-(−)-valine, were found to be effective catalysts for the enantioselective addition of alkenylzinc to aldehydes and thereby providing an efficient route for chiral (E)-allylic alcohols with ees of up to >99% in the presence of 7a (1 mol %).     

Thermodynamic studies on complexation of divalent transition metal ions with some zwitterionic buffers for biochemical and physiological research

The interaction between the zwitterionic buffers (3-[N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxy propane sulfonic acid, N-(2-actamido)-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid, and 3-[(1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxy propane sulfonic acid) with some divalent transition metal ions (Cu^II, Ni^II, Co^II, Zn^II, and Mn^II) were studied at different temperatures (298.15 to 328.15) K at ionic strength I = 0.1 mol · dm⁻³ NaNO₃ and in the presence of 10%, 30%, and 50% (w/w) dioxene by using potentiometry. The thermodynamic stability constants were calculated as well as the free energy change for the 1:1 binary complexation. The protonation constants of the zwitterionic buffers were also determined potentiometrically under the above conditions.     

Resolution of racemic 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone with immobilized penicillin G acylase

Enantiomerically pure 4-oxo-2-cyclopentenyl derivatives were prepared by kinetic resolution with penicillin G acylase (EC 3.5.1.11) immobilized on an epoxy activated polymer. The enzyme selectively hydrolyzes the phenylacetyl ester of the (S)-enantiomer to give the (S)-alcohol. The enantioselectivity E increases from 12.4 in 0.05 M phosphate buffer, to E = 100–110 in acetonitrile-buffer (20% v/v) and E >200 in diisopropyl ether. The immobilized enzyme is stable and retains >90% of its activity after 10 recycles over one week at room temperature.     

Resolution of non-protein amino acids via Carica papaya lipase-catalyzed enantioselective transesterification

Carica papaya lipase-catalyzed transesterification of the 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl esters of N-benzyloxycarbonylated dl-amino acids carrying aliphatic side chains proceeded smoothly and, in almost all the cases, enantiospecifically (E = >200), affording the l-methyl esters and leaving the d-trifluoroethyl esters intact.     

Thermophysical properties of biodiesel and related systems: (Liquid + liquid) equilibrium data for castor oil biodiesel

This work reports new liquid–liquid solubility values (binodal curves) as well as (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data for, ternary and quaternary systems containing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) from castor oil, water, glycerol, methanol and anhydrous ethanol at T = (303.15, 318.15, and 333.15) K. Solubility curves (binodal) were also obtained by the cloud-point method for binary systems containing FAME, FAEE, water, or glycerol. All results obtained can be considered of good quality. The experimental values were correlated using the UNIQUAC model, whose results presented good performance and satisfactory fitting of equilibrium values.     

Carbon dioxide solubility in aqueous potassium salt solutions of l-proline and dl-α-aminobutyric acid at high pressures

In the present work, the solubility of CO₂ in aqueous solutions of potassium prolinate (KPr) and potassium α-aminobutyrate (KAABA) was measured at temperatures (313.2, 333.2, and 353.2) K and CO₂ partial pressures up to 1000 kPa for amino acid salt concentrations: KPr, w = (7.5, 14.5, and 27.4 wt%) and KAABA, w = (6.9, 13.4, and 25.6 wt%). It was found that the CO₂ absorption capacities of the studied amino acid salt systems were considerably high and comparable with that of industrially important alkanolamines including monoethanolamine. The CO₂ loadings in aqueous potassium α-aminobutyrate at high pressures were also found to be generally higher than the loadings in aqueous potassium prolinate. A modified Kent–Eisenberg model was applied to correlate the CO₂ solubility in the amino acid salt solution as function of CO₂ partial pressure, temperature, and concentration. The model gave good representation of the (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data obtained for the amino acid salt systems studied, and provided accurate predictions of the solubility.     

A general method for the synthesis of enantiopure aliphatic chain alcohols with established absolute configurations. Part 1. Application of the MαNP acid method to acetylene alcohols

A method using (S)-(+)-2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid 1 (MαNP acid) has been applied to acetylene alcohols 4–14 to determine their absolute configurations by ¹H NMR anisotropy and/or X-ray crystallography. Diastereomeric MαNP esters prepared from racemic acetylene alcohols and (S)-(+)-MαNP acid 1 were easily separable by HPLC on silica gel. From the ¹H NMR anisotropy Δδ data of separated diastereomeric MαNP esters {Δδ = δ (R,X) − δ(S,X) = δ(2nd fr.) − δ(1st fr.)}, the absolute configurations of the first eluted esters were determined. This MαNP acid method has been successfully applied to various acetylene alcohols 4–12 and 14. In the case of MαNP esters 21b, 24a, and 26a, their absolute configurations were unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography, which confirmed the absolute configuration assignments performed by ¹H NMR anisotropy. These acetylene alcohol MαNP esters can serve as key intermediates for the synthesis of enantiopure aliphatic chain alcohols with established absolute configurations as described in Part 2 of this series.     

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%).     

Thermodynamic properties of some cyclohexyl esters in the condensed state

The heat capacities and the enthalpies of phase transitions of cyclohexyl esters (formate, acetate, butyrate, and valerate) in the condensed state between T =  (5 and 320) K were measured in a vacuum adiabatic calorimeter. It was found that all liquid compounds were supercooled by cooling them fromT =  300 K at a rate of (0.02 to 0.03)K · s ^− 1and formed glasses. Crystalline phases were obtained for all esters and the residual entropies of glasses at T →  0 were evaluated. The glass transition temperatures and the heat capacity jumps accompanying the glass transitions, as well as the thermodynamic parameters of fusion of crystalline phases, were determined for all the esters. The molar thermodynamic functions of the investigated compounds in the crystalline, liquid, supercooled liquid, and glassy states were obtained. The regular changes of some thermodynamic properties in the series of cyclohexyl esters are discussed.     

Quantitation of amino acids in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography: Simultaneous deproteinization and derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl chloride

This paper, as a novelty to this field, presents the deproteinization and derivatization of plasma's free amino acids (PFAAs), simultaneously, in a single step, with the acetonitrile (ACN) containing 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl chloride (FMOC) reagent. Deproteinization and derivatization, were studied with 22 amino acids, applying photodiode array (DAD) and fluorescence (FL) detection, simultaneously. Model investigations have been carried out as a function of the FMOC concentration, reaction time and reaction conditions: with standard solutions, with human plasma samples in its initial condition and fortified with standard amino acids (excluding tryptophan because it co-elutes with the hydrolyzed FMOC). Reproducibilities of 22 amino acids, including both histidine and tyrosine derivatives, obtained under optimum derivatization conditions are presented (at 3.0 mM FMOC concentration, at pH 9; derivatization time = 20 min), and characterized with the relative standard deviation percentages of their responses (≤4.4%, RSD). Quantitation limit (LOQ) of amino acid FMOC derivatives proved to be 2.5 pmol, except for cystine, ornithine (5 pmol) and for the total of tyrosines (N-FMOC-tyrosine and N,O-FMOC-tyrosine 10 pmol).     

The changes of fatty acid and amino acid compositions in sea bream (Sparus aurata) during irradiation process

Aqua cultured fish (sea bream) were irradiated by Cobalt-60 at commercial irradiation facility at dose of 2.5 and 5 kGy at 2–4 °C. The proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid composition changes of irradiated aqua cultured sea bream (Sparus aurata) of Aegean Sea were investigated. Total saturated (28.01%) and total monounsaturated (28.42%) fatty acid contents of non-irradiated decreased content of 27.69–27.97% for 2.5 kGy irradiated groups and increased content of 28.33–28.56% for 5 kGy irradiated groups after irradiation process. Total polyunsaturated fatty acid content for irradiated samples was lower than that of non-irradiated samples. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, arginine, alanine, tyrosine, cystine, tryptophan, lysine and proline contents for 2.5 and 5 kGy irradiated sea bream are significantly different (p<0.05).     

(Liquid + liquid) equilibria of (water + butyric acid + dibasic esters) ternary systems

(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data of the solubility (binodal) curves and tie-line end compositions were examined for mixtures of {water (1) + butyric acid (2) + dimethyl succinate or dimethyl glutarate or dimethyl adipate (3)} at T = 298.15 K and p = (101.3 ± 0.7) kPa. The relative mutual solubility of the butyric acid is higher in the dibasic esters layers than in the aqueous layer. The reliability of the experimental tie-line data was confirmed by using the Othmer–Tobias correlation. The LLE data of the ternary systems were predicted by UNIFAC method. Distribution coefficients and separation factors were evaluated for the immiscibility region.     

Thermophysical properties of biodiesel and related systems: (Liquid + liquid) equilibrium data for Jatropha curcas biodiesel

Reported in this study are (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data for binary, ternary, and quaternary systems formed by fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) of Jatropha curcas oil, water, glycerol, methanol, and ethanol at temperatures of (303.15, 318.15, and 333.15) K. In general, all the systems investigated resulted in good agreement between phase compositions of crunodes of tie-lines, solubility curves (binodal curves) and overall compositions, hence indicating low deviations from mass balance. Experimental results were correlated with the UNIQUAC model, showing low deviations among experimental and calculated values.     

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%.     

Activity coefficients of CaCl2 in (serine or proline + water) mixtures at T = 298.15 K

Activity coefficients for the (CaCl₂ + amino acid + water) system were determined at a temperature of 298.15 K using ion-selective electrodes. The range of molalities of CaCl₂ is (0.01 to 0.20) mol · kg^?1, and that of amino acids is (0.10 to 0.40) mol · kg^?1. The activity coefficients obtained from the Debye–Hückel extended equation and the Pitzer equation are in good agreement with each other. Results show that the interactions between CaCl₂ and amino acid are controlled mainly by the electrostatic interactions (attraction). Gibbs free energy interaction parameters (g_EA) and salting constants (k_S) are positive, indicating that these amino acids are salted out by CaCl₂. These results are discussed based on group additivity model.