Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclohexanone

The stereoselective acetylation of meso-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanediol by vinyl acetate in the presence of three lipases gave the (1R,3S)-monoester in high enantiomeric excess (ee > or = 98%). The hydrolysis of the corresponding meso-diacetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in phosphate buffer provided the opposite enantiomer. Optically active monoacetates were converted to both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylcyclohexanone, a versatile chiral building block.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of phosphocarnitine enantiomers

Racemic phosphocarnitine 3 has been synthesized starting from diethyl 3-chloro-2-oxopropanephosphonate 4 in three steps involving reduction of 4 to the corresponding 2-hydroxyphosphonate 5, conversion of the latter to phosphonic acid 6, and final reaction with trimethylamine, affording the trimethylammonium salt of 3. Baker's yeast reduction of 4 and enzymatic kinetic resolution of (+/-)-5 afforded the enantiomerically pure precursors of phosphocarnitine, (R)-(+)-5 and (S)-(-)-5, which were converted to (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-phosphocarnitine 3, respectively.     

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%.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one

4-Oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate is synthesized using manganese(III)acetate starting from 2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one. K₂CO₃ mediated hydrolysis of 4-oxo-3,4-dihdro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate furnished 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one in high yield.The enantioselective hydrolysis of (±)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate in various organic solvent-phosphate buffer (pH7) systems and enantioselective transesterification of (±)-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one in organic solvents was investigated by screening a range of lipases. The lipase Amano PS, PPL, PLE and CCL-catalyzed asymmetric ester hydrolysis and transesterification afforded the enantiomers of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4H-chromen-4-one and 4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-chromen-3-yl acetate with high enantiomeric excess (up to 97% ee) and in good yields.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of 3-hydroxy- and 3-amino-3-phenylpropanoic acid

Ethyl (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate (S)-2 was obtained by the asymmetric reduction of ethyl 3-phenyl-3-oxopropionate 1 with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ATCC 9080). The kinetic resolution of racemic ethyl 2-acetoxy-3-phenyl-propionate rac-3 with the same microorganism, gave after hydrolysis ethyl (R)- and (S)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionates (R)-2 and (S)-2 which were converted by a straightforward series of reactions to the enantiomers of 3-amino-3-phenyl-propionic acids (S)-6 and (R)-6. The asymmetric reduction and hydrolytic kinetic resolution were also tested with several other whole cell systems under a variety of conditions.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the two enantiomers of 7-azatryptophan

7-Azatryptophan is an unnatural α-amino acid with a very potent fluorescent activity. It is used as a vehicle for probing the structure and dynamics of proteins and peptides. Diastereoselective alkylation, diastereoselective protonation and enzymatic resolution have been tested for preparing enantiomerically pure 7-azatryptophan.     

Stereoselective synthesis of both enantiomers of rugulactone

The stereoselective total synthesis of both enantiomers of rugulactone 1 has been completed by applying enantioselective allyl additions as key steps. Two different strategies based on highly stable and enantiomerically pure α-substituted allylboronic esters 2 and 3 were performed starting from boronic ester 4.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of rugulactone

The synthesis of both the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of the natural product rugulactone has been achieved. Candida rugosa lipase hydrolyzes the butyrate ester of the protected 3-hydroxy homoallylic alcohol with very high enantioselectivity (E = 244) and provides the key intermediates with high enantiomeric purity (ee 98–99%) and excellent yields.     

Chromium-mediated asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of acetoxytubipofuran

Both enantiomers of acetoxytubipofuran were synthesized using enantioselective and diastereoselective dearomatization sequences starting from the benzaldehyde chromium tricarbonyl complex. Following aldol condensation, a sequence involving Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution was used in the synthesis of the (-)-enantiomer, whereas the (+)-enantiomer was reached via an Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement. Chiroptical data show that a revision of the previously assigned absolute configuration of the natural product is required.     

Diastereoselective total synthesis of both enantiomers of epolactaene

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of both the (+)- and (-)-epolactaene ((+)- and (-)-1) enantiomers from tetrahydropyran-2-ol is described. The following reactions in this synthesis are particularly noteworthy: (1) the stereoselective construction of the conjugated (E,E,E)-triene by a combination of kinetic deprotonation and thermodynamic equilibration, (2) the E-selective Knoevenagel condensation of beta-ketonitrile 33 with a chiral 2-alkoxyaldehyde, (3) a diastereoselective epoxidation achieved using a bulky nucleophile (TrOOLi) and an appropriate protecting group, (4) the mild hydrolysis of an alpha-epoxy nitrile by silica gel on TLC facilitated by hydroxyl-mediated, intramolecular assistance.     

First asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of andirolactone

We have achieved the first asymmetric synthesis of (+)- and (−)-andirolactone. The key steps were separation of limonene oxide diastereomers, asymmetric oxidation induced by the chiral intermediate and ring-closing metathesis in the presence of catalytic amounts of Lewis acid to form the spirocyclic butenolides.     

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of a cis-lignan lactone

The stereoselective acetylation of meso-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butanediol by vinyl acetate in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase in benzene gave the corresponding (+)-(2S,3R) monoester (ee ≥98%). Transesterification of meso-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butyl diacetate, in the presence of the same enzyme, by ethanol in benzene/isopropyl ether gave the corresponding (−)-(2R,3S) monoester (ee ≥98%). Both enantiomers of the known cis-2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)butyrolactone were synthesized from these monoesters.     

Enantiodivergent synthesis of both enantiomers of gypsy moth pheromone disparlure

Enantiodivergent synthesis of both (-)- and (+)-disparlure, a bioactive pheromone, possessing a cis-epoxide has been accomplished. The key step involves the cross metathesis of a chiral homoallylic alcohol derived from l-(+)-tartaric acid.     

Total synthesis of both enantiomers of the macrocyclic lactone citreofuran

Both enantiomers of the polyketide-derived lactone citreofuran (4) have been prepared. The enantiopure building blocks were obtained on a chemoenzymatic route ((S)-6) and by a chiral pool synthesis ((R)-6). The crucial step in the synthesis, a macrolactonization, was accomplished under Mitsunobu conditions.     

Chemoenzymatic taxanes approach using both enantiomers of the same building block. 2. Taxol CD ring unit

[reaction: see text] The enantioselective synthesis of the Taxol CD ring unit has been achieved starting from an enantiopure building block, the enantiomer of those previously utilized in the synthesis of the A ring unit. The key features of the present synthesis are astute use of both enantiomers of the same building block and complete control in the construction of five consecutive chiral centers.     

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%).     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of isogalactofagomine

A new chemoenzymatic synthesis of optically pure isogalactofagomine 2 starting from achiral starting materials is presented. Dimethyl 4-hydroxypyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (7) was synthesized and converted to the corresponding saturated piperidine 8. Then the key step of the synthesis was carried out: Lipase M catalyzed hydrolysis of the prochiral diester 8 to cause formation of an asymmetric monoacid with at least 98% enantiomeric excess. Reduction of the acid, saponification of the remaining ester, and radical iododecarboxylation gave an iodide that after substitution with silver trifluoroacetate and hydrolysis gave 2.     

Asymmetric synthesis of both the enantiomers of trans-3-hydroxypipecolic acid

Both the enantiomers of trans-3-hydroxypipecolic acid have been synthesized employing the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation and epoxidation as the key steps starting from a commercially available starting material 1,4-butanediol.     

An asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of the indole alkaloid deplancheine

We report a novel, facile and asymmetric approach to both enantiomers of the indole alkaloid deplancheine from a readily available, nonracemic chiral template. The natural product and its antipode are isolated with >95% ee.