Kinetic resolution of racemic secondary aliphatic allylic alcohols in lipase-catalyzed transesterification

Different lipases were screened as biocatalysts in the kinetic resolution process of (±)-hept-1-en-3-ol 1, (±)-5-methylhex-1-en-3-ol 2, (±)-6-methylhept-2-en-4-ol 3, (±)-6,6-dimethylhept-2-en-4-ol 4, and 1-phenylbut-3-en-2-ol 5 by enantioselective transesterification. The acylation of (±)-1 and (±)-2 catalyzed by Novozym 435 (Candida antarctica) was very effective and proceeded with good enantioselectivity. After 4–8 h of reactions the esters formed and the alcohols, which remained were obtained with high enantiomeric excess with 97–100% ee and 91–100% ee, respectively. The lipase Amano PS (Burkholderia cepacia) was the best catalyst in the asymmetric transesterification of (±)-5 affording the (R)-alcohol with 90–95% ee and the (S)-ester with 98–100% ee. Low enantioselectivities were observed in the cases of lipase-catalyzed acylation of (±)-3 and (±)-4.     

Atom transfer radical cyclization (ATRC) applied to a chemoenzymatic synthesis of Quercus lactones

The natural fragrances (+)-trans whisky lactone 2 and (+)-trans cognac lactone 4, together with a minor amount of their (−)-cis stereoisomers, were prepared in 50% and 42% overall yield, respectively, starting from racemic 1-hepten-3-ol (±)-5 and 1-octen-3-ol (±)-6. The procedure involved first the enantioconvergent, lipase mediated transformation of the secondary allylic alcohols derived dichloroacetates (±)-7 and (±)-8 into the corresponding homochiral (+)-7 and (+)-8, combined with their cyclization under a transition metal catalyzed atom transfer process.     

Syntheses of Enantiopure Aliphatic Secondary Alcohols and Acetates by Bioresolution with Lipase B from <em>Candida antarctica</em>

The lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435^?, CALB) efficiently catalyzed the kinetic resolution of some aliphatic secondary alcohols: (±)-4-methylpentan-2-ol (1), (±)-5-methylhexan-2-ol (3), (±)-octan-2-ol (4), (±)-heptan-3-ol (5) and (±)-oct-1-en-3-ol (6). The lipase showed excellent enantioselectivities in the transesterifications of racemic aliphatic secondary alcohols producing the enantiopure alcohols (>99% ee) and acetates (>99% ee) with good yields. Kinetic resolution of rac-alcohols was successfully achieved with CALB lipase using simple conditions, vinyl acetate as acylating agent, and hexane as non-polar solvent.     

Efficient preparation of enantiomerically pure (E)-4-(tributylstannanyl)but-3-en-2-ol via lipase-mediated resolution

The practical preparation of enantiomerically pure (E)-4-(tributylstannanyl)but-3-en-2-ol 1 from 3-butyn-2-ol 2 is reported. A modified Guibé's Pd-catalyzed hydrostannation of 2 provided the racemic γ-hydroxy vinylstannane 1 in a good yield. The enzymatic esterification of 1, with an inexpensive lipozyme, afforded (R)-3 and (S)-1 with very high enantiomeric excesses and chemical yields. This procedure is suitable for the multigram scale preparation of the potential chiral building blocks, (R)-1 and (S)-1.     

Synthesis of optically active β′-hydroxy-β-enaminoketones via enzymatic resolution of carbinols derived from 3,5-disubstituted isoxazoles

The preparation of several enantiomerically pure β′-hydroxy-β-enaminoketones from the corresponding isoxazolic carbinols, which have been obtained by enzymatic kinetic resolution of the racemic β-hydroxyisoxazoles catalyzed by lipases, is described. The enzymatic transesterification of racemic (±)-5-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-methylisoxazole 3a, and racemic (±)-5-(2-hydroxy-2-p-tolylethyl)-3-methylisoxazole 3d, has been studied with respect to the influence of experimental variables such as the used enzyme, the acylating agent or the solvent on the enantioselectivity of the reaction. After the reductive cleavage of the isoxazolic ring of the enantiopure carbinols, (R)- and (S)-2-amino-4-oxo-2-hepten-6-ol, (R)- and (S)-5, and (R)-2-amino-6-p-tolyl-4-oxo-2-hexen-6-ol, (R)-7 with an enantiomeric excess >98% were obtained.     

Enantioselectivity of alcohol-treated Candida rugosa lipase in the kinetic resolution of racemic methyl 2-aryloxypropionates in water and aqueous organic media

Racemic methyl 2-aryloxypropionates (±)-1 were subjected to hydrolysis in water and in a series of two-phase aqueous organic media in the presence of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). The biocatalytic material used was the enzyme of commercial CRL purified by treatment with different alcohols. The purification of CRL and the reaction medium play an important role in the enantioselection of racemates (±)-1. While it is not possible to use the same protocol for all substrates, by combining the different ways of purifying the enzyme with the various reaction media, it is possible to achieve high enantioselectivities of racemic esters.     

The influence of microwave irradiation on lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols

The influence of microwave irradiation on the Novozyme 435^® (Candida antarctica lipase) catalyzed kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols with different functional groups was studied in comparison to the use of conventional heating at 60 °C. p-Chlorophenyl acetate was used as an acyl donor and toluene as the solvent. (±)-1-Phenyl-1-propanol 1, (±)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-propan-1-ol 3, (±)-1-phenylbut-3-en-1-ol 5 and (±)-3-bromo-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4-dimethoxynaphthalene 7 were successfully resolved into their (S)-alcohols and (R)-esters, respectively, in good enantiomeric excess. Resolution of (±)-ethyl-5-(4-methoxybenyloxy)-3-hydroxypentanoate 9 afforded its (R)-alcohol and (S)-ester using this method. In addition, microwave-assisted lipase transesterification of meso-symmetric diol 11 effected desymmetrization to ester 12 with high enantiomeric excess. In all cases studied, the conversion value for the microwave-assisted lipase kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols was higher than that obtained using conventional heating.     

2-Methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid,a powerful chiral auxiliary for enantioresolution of alcohols and determination of their absolute configurations by the 1H NMR anisotropy method

Racemic 2-methoxy-2-(1-naphthyl)propionic acid (1, MαNP acid) was enantioresolved as its esters derived from various chiral alcohols. For example, a diastereomeric mixture of esters prepared from (±)-1 and (1R,3R,4S)-(−)-menthol was easily separated by HPLC on silica gel yielding esters (−)-2a and (−)-2b, the separation factor α=1.83 being unusually large. The ¹H NMR chemical shift differences, Δδ=δ(R)–δ(S), between diastereomers 2a and 2b, are much larger than those of conventional chiral auxiliaries, e.g. Mosher’s MTPA and Trost’s MPA acids. This acid 1 is therefore very powerful for determining the absolute configuration of chiral alcohols by the ¹H NMR anisotropy method. Solvolysis of the separated esters yielded enantiopure acids (S)-(+)-1 and (R)-(−)-1, which are useful for enantioresolution of racemic alcohols.     

Resolution of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one via cyclic aminals

High yielding resolution of racemic 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-one (±)-1 (`7-oxanorbornenone') via aminal formation with (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine 2 is reported. Acidic hydrolysis furnishes the enantiomeric ketones (+)-1 and (−)-1 (≥95% ee). The chiral diamine is efficiently recovered.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the enantiomers of desoxymuscarine

Two different chemoenzymatic approaches allowed the preparation of the enantiomers of desoxymuscarine 5, a muscarinic receptor agonist. Transesterification of racemic 5-hexen-2-ol 7 with vinyl butyrate under the catalysis of Candida antarctica B lipase was the key step for the preparation of (−)-5 (2R,5R). On the other hand, lipase PS-catalyzed hydrolysis of iodo butyrate (±)-14 was utilized to obtain (+)-5 (2S,5S). Both enantiomers were prepared with enantiomeric excesses higher than 98%.     

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.     

Large scale preparation of (+)- and (−)-endo-norbornenol by enzymatic hydrolysis

A multigram preparation of (+)-(1R,2R,4R)-endo-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-ol ((+)-2) and its enantlomer (−)−2 with an optical purity of 90% and > 96%, respectively, was accomplished via enantioselective hydrolysis of (±)-5-endo-norbornen-2-ylacetate using lipase from Candida cylindracea.     

A practical chemoenzymatic process to access (R)-quinuclidin-3-ol on scale

(±)-3-Butyryloxyquinuclidinium butyrate 6 (2 M, 571 g/L), prepared from (±)-quinuclidin-3-ol 1 and butyric anhydride, undergoes enantioselective hydrolysis by an Aspergillus melleus protease {1.0% (w/v)} in water in the presence of Ca(OH)₂ to keep the reaction at pH 7 and trap butyric acid that is introduced as part of (±)-6 and generated by the enzymatic hydrolysis. After a 24 h period, extraction with n-heptane provides (R)-quinuclidin-3-yl butyrate 5a, which, on methanolysis with Na₂CO₃, is converted into (R)-1, a common pharmacophore of neuromodulators acting on muscarinic receptors, in 96% ee and 42% overall yield from (±)-1. The unwanted antipode (S)-1, which is extracted into n-butanol and purified via its hydrochloride salt in 89% ee and 40% overall yield from (±)-1, can be racemized by the catalysis of Raney Co at 140°C under an atmosphere of H₂ (5 kg/cm²) to regenerate (±)-1 in 97% yield.     

Preparation of (1R,8S)- and (1S,8R)-9-azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one: potential starting compounds for the synthesis of anatoxin-a

9-Azabicyclo[6.2.0]dec-4-en-10-one (±)-2, obtained from cyclooctadiene by addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate, was N-hydroxymethylated to (±)-3 and then resolved by lipase-catalysed asymmetric acylation of the primary OH group at the (S)-stereogenic centre. High enantioselectivity (E=94) was observed when lipase PS and vinyl butyrate were used in di-iso-propyl ether at −15°C, resulting in the enantiomerically enriched ester 3a and alcohol 3b (e.e. ≥92%). Treatment of 3a and 3b with NH₄OH/MeOH afforded the corresponding β-lactams (1R,8S)-2a and (1S,8R)-2b (e.e. ≥93%), potential starting compounds in anatoxin-a synthesis. The ring opening of lactams (±)-2, (±)-7, 3a and 3b, followed by reduction, resulted in racemic 4–6 and 8 and enantiomeric 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b eight-membered cyclic β-amino acid derivatives.     

Chemoenzymatic route to optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; precursors for decalin-based bioactive natural products

The development of an efficient chemoenzymatic route for the synthesis of optically active dihydroxy cyclopenta[b]naphthalenones; (+)-1,4a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-10 and (+)-1,8a-dihydroxy-4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-2(4H)-one (+)-11 is described. Different lipases and esterases were tested in the enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding acetates (±)-4a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-8, (±)-8a-hydroxy-2-oxo-2,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,9,9a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthalen-1-yl acetate (±)-9, CRL (Candida Rugosa Lipase) and PLE (Pig Liver Esterase) were found to be the most effectual enzymes; for (?)-8 by 47% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy; (+)-10 by 98% ee in the presence of CRL; whereas, (?)-8 was obtained with 40% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy, (+)-10 with 58% ee in the PLE hydrolysis. It was concluded that CRL was the best biocatalyst for the substrate (±)-8. Moreover, enzymatic resolution in the presence of CRL yields, (?)-9 with 46% ee with the corresponding dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 98% ee; however, in the presence of PLE, yields (?)-9 with 36% ee as well as the related dihydroxy derivative; (+)-11 with 49% ee respectively. The study concluded that CRL is the best biocatalyst for compounds (±)-8 and (±)-9.     

Structural studies and NMDA activity of an enantiopure dihydroisoxazole derivative

The enantiopure 5-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-3-carboxylic acid (−)-1b and its racemic tert-butoxycarbonylamino (Boc) precursor (±)-11 were structurally characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The geometrical features and the intermolecular interaction of the pure (3S,5S)-aminoacid are compared with the racemic derivative. This analysis has shown a different conformation of the dihydroisoxazole ring: (±)-11 adopts an envelope shape, while in (−)-1b it is almost planar. The intermolecular assembly is characterized by hydrogen bonds of an NH⋯O type in (±)-11 with the formation of polymeric chains, whereas in (−)-1b the hydrogen bonds determine a three dimensional network. The tight intermolecular interactions of (−)-1b could be responsible for the short distances between ionizable groups, which are important as pharmacophoric parameters for NMDA activity.     

Evaluation of lipase from Candida rugosa in the resolution of endo-(±)-1,8,9,10,11,11-hexachloropentacyclo[6.2.1.13,6.02,7.05,9]dodecan-4-alcohol

endo-(±)-1,8,9,10,11,11-Hexachloropentacyclo[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7.0^5,9]dodecan-4-ol (±)-7 and exo-(±)-1,8,9,10,11,11-hexachloropentacyclo[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7.0^5,9]dodecan-4-ol (±)-4 have been prepared and the enantiomeric enrichment capacity of the lipase from Candida rugosa in the transesterification with vinyl acetate of these compounds was evaluated. It was verified that the lipase recognize only the alcohol (±)-7, producing endo-(+)-1,8,9,10,11,11-hexachloropentacyclo[6.2.1.1^3,6.0^2,7.0^5,9]dodecan-4-yl acetate (+)-8 with ee >95% and conversion of 44% as the only product.     

Pheromone synthesis. Part 249: Syntheses of methyl (R,E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate and methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate,the pheromone components of the male dried bean beetle,Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say)

The enantiomers of methyl (E)-2,4,5-tetradecatrienoate (1), a component of the male pheromone of Acanthoscelides obtectus, were synthesized from the enantiomers of 1-undecyn-3-ol (6), which were obtained via asymmetric acetylation of (±)-1-trimethylsilyl-1-undecyn-3-ol (4) with vinyl acetate as catalyzed by lipase PS (Amano). The ortho ester Claisen rearrangement of 6 with triethyl orthoacetate was the key-step to generate the chiral allenic system. A new synthesis of (±)-1 was also executed starting from (±)-6. Three different syntheses of methyl (2E,4Z)-2,4-decadienoate (2), another component of the male pheromone of A. obtectus, were achieved by means of either palladium-catalyzed Heck reaction or a Claisen and an Al₂O₃ catalyzed thermal rearrangements.     

Synthesis of optically active 2-fluoroalk-1-en-3-yl esters and chirality transfer in their Claisen-type rearrangements

A series of enantioenriched long chain 2-fluoroalk-1-en-3-ols 1 has been prepared by lipase-catalyzed resolution of the racemic compounds synthesized from terminal alkenes. The lipase of Candida antarctica was shown to be the most efficient one in terms of enantioselectivity. Transesterification of the fluorinated allylic alcohols 1 was superior over the hydrolysis in a phosphate buffer of the corresponding acetates 2. Lipase-catalyzed acetylation of allylic alcohols 1 in organic medium gave (S)-(−)-3-acetoxy-2-fluoroalk-1-enes of chain lengths C₁₀, C₁₆ and C₁₈ with 68-89% yield and 92-96% ee, while the remaining (R)-(+)-2-fluoroalk-1-en-3-ols were isolated with 54-96% yield and 72-86% ee. The absolute configuration was assigned by comparison of measured and calculated CD-spectra, and unambiguously by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy using a modified Mosher's method. From the optically active fluorinated allylic alcohols 1 corresponding esters 2 such as propionates, 3,3,3-trifluoropropionates and Boc-glycinates were synthesized. These compounds were rearranged to 2-substituted 4-fluoroalk-4-enecarboxylic acids 3 applying modified conditions of the [3,3]-sigmatropic Ireland-Claisen rearrangement. While a complete chirality transfer from C-3 of the allylic esters to C-2 of the carboxylic acids or 2-amino acids, respectively, occurred in rearrangements of the propionates and Boc-glycinates, racemic 2-(trifluoromethyl)alk-4-enecarboxylic acids were formed from the allylic trifluoropropionates. The configurational lability of the latter products is caused by the strongly acidic proton in α-position to the trifluoromethyl and the carboxyl groups under the basic rearrangement conditions.     

Chemical constituents from Piper marginatum Jacq. (Piperaceae)—antifungal activities and kinetic resolution of (RS)-marginatumol by Candida antarctica lipase (Novozym 435)

The leaves of Piper marginatum contain the antifungal compounds 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone 1, 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxypropiophenone 2, 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propan-1-ol 3 (marginatumol), 5,4′-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone 4 and 5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavanone 5. The absolute configuration of natural marginatumol was determined as (+)-(R)-3 (ee 48%) by comparison of its optical properties with the chiral forms obtained by kinetic resolution of racemic 3 using Candida antarctica lipase (Novozym 435).