Efficient biocatalysis for the production of enantiopure (S)-epoxides using a styrene monooxygenase (SMO) and Leifsonia alcohol dehydrogenase (LSADH) system

Herein we report the production of enantiopure epoxides through biocatalysis using recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing Rhodococcus sp. ST-10 styrene monooxygenase (SMO) and Leifsonia sp. S749 alcohol dehydrogenase (LSADH) genes are described. Rhodococcus sp. ST-10 SMO catalyzed the epoxidation of various alkenes, including styrene derivatives, vinyl pyridines, and linear alkenes, to give (S)-epoxides. NADH was regenerated by the reduction of NAD⁺ by LSADH with 2-propanol. The E. coli biocatalyst was used in an aqueous/organic biphasic reaction system and the reaction conditions were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, 170 mM of (S)-styrene oxide was obtained from styrene in the organic phase with excellent enantiomeric excess (99.8%). This biocatalytic process was used to synthesize various (S)-epoxides.     

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.     

Enantiomeric separation of a melatonin agonist Ramelteon using amylose-based chiral stationary phase

A new simple isocratic chiral liquid chromatographic method was developed for the enantiomeric purity of Ramelteon[(S)-N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl) ethyl]-propionamide], a melatonin agonist in bulk drugs. The chromatographic separation was achieved on Chiralpak AD-H, 250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm column using a mobile phase system consisting of n-hexane, ethanol and methanesulfonic acid in the ratio of 900:100:0.1 (v/v/v). The mobile phase was pumped on the column at the flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. Addition of methane sulfonic acid in the mobile phase enhanced chromatographic efficiency and resolution between the enantiomers. The resolution between the enantiomers was found to be more than four. The developed method was subsequently validated and proved to be accurate and precise. The experimentally established limit of detection and quantification of (R)-enantiomer were found to be 25.5 and 77.2 ng ml^?1, respectively, for 20 μl injection volumes. The percentage recovery of (R)-enantiomer was ranged from 98.5 to 101.9 in bulk drug samples of Ramelteon. The stability of Ramelteon sample in analytical solution was checked for about 48 h at room temperature and was found to be stable for about 48 h. The proposed method was found to be suitable and accurate for the quantitative determination of (R)-enantiomer in drug substance.     

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.     

New chemical and chemo-enzymatic routes for the synthesis of (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine

The chemo-enzymatic synthesis of racemic and enantiopure (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine 1, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, is described herein. The synthesis started from 1-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine 3, which was treated with 2-(chloromethyl) oxirane (RS)-4 using lithium bromide to afford a racemic alcohol, 1-chloro-3-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl) propan-2-ol (RS)-6 in 85% yield. Intermediate (S)-6 was synthesized from racemic alcohol (RS)-6 using Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) with vinyl acetate as the acyl donor. Various reaction parameters such as temperature, time, substrate, enzyme concentration, and the effect of the reaction medium on the conversion and enantiomeric excess for the transesterification of (RS)-6 by CRL were optimized. It was observed that 10 mM of (RS)-6, 50 mg/mL of CRL in 4.0 mL of toluene with vinyl acetate (5.4 mmol) as acyl donor at 30 °C gave good conversion (C = 49.4%) and enantiomeric excess (ee_P = 98.4% and ee_S = 96%) after 9 h of reaction. Compound (S)-6 is a key intermediate for the synthesis of enantiopure (S)-1. The (RS)- and (S)-enciprazine drug 1 was synthesized by treating (RS)- and (S)-6 with 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenol 5 using MeCN as a solvent and K₂CO₃ as a base.     

Efficient synthesis of 2,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidines (castanospermine analogues) via the dipolar cycloadditions of N-benzyl-C-(tetrofuranos-4-yl)nitrones to methyl acrylate

The dipolar cycloaddition of (Z)-N-benzyl-(3-O-benzyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-d-ribofuranos-5-ylidene)amine N-oxide to methyl acrylate gives a 53:16:26:5 diastereomeric mixture of isoxazolidine derivatives. The dipolar cycloaddition of the xylo analogue to methyl acrylate is more diastereoselective, producing a 44:13:43 mixture of only three diastereomers. The ribo-configured adducts have been converted (4 steps only) into the new (2R,6S,7S,8R,8aR)-, (2S,6S,7S,8R,8aR)-, (2S,6S,7S,8R,8aS)- and (2R,6S,7S,8R,8aS)-2,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidines. Similarly, the two xylo-configured major isoxazolidine derivatives were converted into the known derivatives (2R,6S,7R,8R,8aS)- and (2S,6S,7R,8R,8aR)-2,6,7,8-tetrahydroxyindolizidines. The six isomeric indolizidine derivatives obtained have been evaluated for their inhibiting activities towards 15 glycosidases. Only the (2R,6S,7S,8R,8aR)-configured isomer is a selective inhibitor of amyloglucosidases from Aspergillus niger (IC₅₀ = 350 μM) and from Rhizopus mold (IC₅₀ = 90 μM, K_i = 195 μM, non-competitive), the other indolizidines show very little inhibitory activity at 1 mM concentration.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

Synthesis of rigid and C2-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles bearing diamide–diester groups: enantiomeric recognition for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts

A series of rigid and chiral C₂-symmetric 18-crown-6 type macrocycles (S,S)-4, (S,S)-5, (S,S)-6 and (R,R)-2 bearing diamide–ester groups were synthesized. The binding properties of these macrocycles were examined for α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorates salts by an ¹H NMR titration method. Taking into account the host employed, important differences were observed in the K_a values of (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of guests for macrocycles (S,S)-4 and (S,S)-6, K_S/K_R = 3.6, and K_S/K_R = 0.1 (K_R/K_S = 10.3) ΔΔG = 3.19 and ΔΔG = ?5.77 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The results indicated excellent enantioselectivity of macrocyclic (S,S)-6 towards the enantiomers of α-(1-naphthyl)ethylammonium perchlorate salts.     

Lipase catalyzed acylation of primary alcohols with remotely located stereogenic centres: the resolution of (±)-4,4-dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-pentanol

Enantioselective acylation of some (±)-3-alkyl-3-phenyl-1-propanols was performed with enzymes as catalysts. Moderate enantiomeric ratios (E), ranging up to E = 11.6, were obtained. In the resolution, some of the lipases selectively acylated the (+)-enantiomer while others acylated the (−)-enantiomer of the γ-substituted primary alcohols 1–4. Thus, it is possible to obtain both enantiomers of the alcohols as remaining substrate with high enantiomeric purity. The resolution of (±)-4,4-dimethyl-3-phenyl-1-pentanol 4 was extensively studied and screening experiments were conducted to select suitable lipase(s), reaction medium, acyl donor and appropriate temperature combinations to increase the enantiomeric ratio. Chirazyme^® L-6/chloroform/vinyl propionate/38 °C and Chirazyme^® L-7/di-iso-propyl ether/vinyl propionate/0 °C were chosen to obtain both enantiomers, (R)-(+)-4 and (S)-(−)-4, respectively, via sequential resolutions in excellent enantiomeric excess (>98%) and in 25% and 22% yield, respectively.     

The combi-CLEA approach: enzymatic cascade synthesis of enantiomerically pure (S)-mandelic acid

Enantiomerically pure (S)-mandelic acid was synthesised from benzaldehyde by sequential hydrocyanation and hydrolysis in a bienzymatic cascade at starting concentrations up to 0.25 M. A cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) composed of the (S)-selective oxynitrilase from Manihot esculenta and the non-selective nitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC 191 was employed as the biocatalyst. The nitrilase produces approx. equal amounts of (S)-mandelic acid and (S)-mandelic amide from (S)-mandelonitrile under standard conditions, but we surprisingly found that high (up to 0.5 M) concentrations of HCN induced a marked drift towards amide production. By including the amidase from Rhodococcus erythopolis in the CLEA we obtained (S)-mandelic acid as the sole product in 90% yield and >99% enantiomeric purity.     

Physicochemical properties of {1-methyl piperazine (1) + water (2)} system at T = (298.15 to 343.15) K and atmospheric pressure

Densities (ρ) and viscosities (η) of aqueous 1-methylpiperazine (1-MPZ) solutions are reported at T = (298.15 to 343.15) K. Refractive indices (n_D) are reported at T = (293.15 to 333.15) K, and surface tensions (γ) are reported at T = (298.15 to 333.15) K. Derived excess properties, except excess viscosities (Δη), are found to be negative over the entire composition range. The addition of 1-MPZ reduces drastically the surface tension of water. The temperature dependence of surface tensions is explained in terms of surface entropy (S^S) and enthalpy (H^S). The measured and derived properties are used to probe the microscopic liquid structure of the bulk and surface of the aqueous amine solutions.     

Asymmetric reductions of ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxobutanoate by yeasts

The stereoselective reduction of ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-oxobutanoate 1 using yeasts was investigated among a restricted number (12) of yeasts. Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis CL69 diastereoselectively produced (2R,3S)-ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate 2, whereas Pichia glucozyma CBS 5766 gave (2S,3S)-2 as the major stereoisomer. The biotransformations were independently optimized for minimizing by-product formation and maximizing the diastereoselectivity. Under optimized conditions, K. marxianus var. lactis CL 69 gave the (2R,3S)-ethyl 2-(benzamidomethyl)-3-hydroxybutanoate 2 with ee > 99% and de = 98%, while P. glucozyma CBS 5766 allowed for the production of (2S,3S)-2 with ee > 99% and de = 86%.     

Effective synthesis of (S)-3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl ethanol by asymmetric enzymatic reduction

The synthesis of (S)-3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl ethanol, a pharmaceutically important alcohol intermediate for the synthesis of NK-1 receptor antagonists, was demonstrated from a ketone via asymmetric enzymatic reduction. The isolated enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase from Rhodococcus erythropolis reduced the poorly water soluble substrate with excellent ee (>99.9%) and good conversion (>98%). The optimized process was demonstrated up to pilot scale using high substrate concentration (390 mM) using a straightforward isolation process achieving excellent isolation yields (>90%) and effective space time yield (100–110 g/L d). Process improvements, demonstrated at preparative scale, increased the substrate concentration to 580 mM achieving a space time yield of 260 g/L d.     

Enantioselective transesterification of (RS)-1-chloro-3-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-2-propanol using Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipases

Lipases from the bacterial strain, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from the soil by enrichment techniques, are assessed for the enantioselective transesterification of (RS)-1-chloro-3-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-2-propanol (rac-CDPP) to (R)-1-chloro-3-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)-2-propanol, a key intermediate in the synthesis of the chiral drug (S)-Lubeluzole. The lipases produced by the organism yielded the (S)-ester and the (R)-alcohol as the remaining substrate with an excellent yield (>49.9%) and almost complete enantioselectivity (ee >99.9%) in the presence of vinyl butyrate as an acyl donor in an organic medium. In contrast, purified and expensive commercially available lipases of Candida rugosa and porcine pancreas achieved much lower conversion with enantioselectivities of 15% and 5%, respectively. A well-mixed (∼1000 rev min⁻¹) batch reactor having the aqueous phase finally dispersed in hexane was used in these studies. The parameters of the transesterification reaction were optimized and the optimal concentrations of rac-CDPP and vinyl butyrate were found to be 5 and 150 mM at 30 °C. A preparative-scale reaction yielded the (S)-ester at 42% conversion and ee >99%.     

Approaches to (R)- and (S)-1′-(1-aminoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid derivatives

Lipase-catalyzed esterification of (±)-methyl 1′-(1-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate 4 afforded its (R)-acetate (−)-5 (ee = 99%) and (S)-(+)-4 (ee = 90%). Stereoretentive azidation/amination/acetylation of (R)-(−)-5 gave (R)-(+)-methyl 1′-(1-acetamidoethyl)ferrocene-1-carboxylate (R)-3 (ee = 98%). In a similar manner (S)-(+)-4 was converted into (S)-(−)-3 (ee = 84%). Both enantiomers of 3 were obtained in high chemical yields without a loss of enantiomeric purity. The title compounds can be coupled with natural amino acids and peptides on both C- and N-termini.     

The metal complexes using organic ligands with photo-excited high-spin states

In this work, 4-pyridyl-phenylanthracene-iminonitroxide radical 2 was synthesized, which can make the coordination to metal ions. It was confirmed by the time-resolved ESR experiments that 2 has a photo-excited quartet (S = 3/2) high-spin state. Cu(II)(hfac)₂(2)₂ and Mn(II)(hfac)₂(2)₂ were synthesized by using 2 as a ligand. Their magnetic properties on the ground states were analyzed by three-spincluster model S₁ − S_M − S₂ (S₁ = S₂ = S_M = 1/2 for Cu(II)(hfac)₂(2)₂ and S₁ = S₂ = 1/2, S_M = 5/2 for Mn(II)(hfac)₂(2)₂). The exchange interactions (J/k_B) between 2 and the metal ions were very weak (J/k_Bs were ferromagnetic for Cu(II)(hfac)₂(2)₂ and antiferromagnetic for Mn(II)(hfac)₂(2)₂). The molecular orbital calculations of 2 have suggested the strong interaction between the paramagnetic center of the metal ions and the photo-excited quartet high-spin state.     

Sterically encumbered chiral amino alcohols for the titanium catalyzed asymmetric alkylation of benzaldehyde

Sterically encumbered chiral l-amino alcohols with secondary amines and tertiary alcohols catalyze the enantioselective alkylation of benzaldehyde with diethyl zinc. Using 2 mol % of amino alcohol catalyst predominantly gave (R)-1-phenylpropanol with enantiomeric excesses of up to 61%. Using the in situ prepared titanium complex at 2 mol % as catalyst also favored the (R)-enantiomer with enantiomeric excesses of up to 73%. In almost all cases, the addition catalyzed by the titanium complex exhibited higher enantioselectivity than that of the amino alcohol ligand alone.     

The enantiomeric recognition of chiral organic ammonium salts by chiral pyridino-macrocycles bearing aminoalcohol subunits

Pyridine-based macrocycles were prepared by treating 2,6-bis[[2′6′-bis(bromomethyl)-4′-methylphenoxy]methyl]pyridine 3 with the appropriate chiral aminoalcohols. The enantiomeric recognition of these macrocycles bearing aminoalcohol subunits of the pyridinocrown type ligand was evaluated for chiral organic ammonium salts by UV titration. The important differences were observed in the K_a values of (R)-Am2 and (S)-Am2 for (S,S,S)-1, (S,S,S)-2 and (S,S,S)-3 hosts, K_S/K_R = 5.0, K_S/K_R = 2.4 and K_S/K_R = 5.0, respectively. There seems to be a general tendency for hosts to recognise (S)-enantiomers for both Am1 and Am2.     

‘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.     

Spontaneous resolution of a novel chiral coordination polymer through supramolecular interactions and solvent symmetry breaking

The spontaneous resolution reaction of racemic trans-2,3-dihydro-2,3-dipyridyl-benzo[e]indole 1 with Cd(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O in the presence of 2-butanol under solvothermal reaction conditions favors the formation of crystal 2 [P-Cd(R,R,-1)₂(ClO₄)₂], while a similar reaction in the presence of ethanol only favors the formation of crystal 3 [M-Cd(S,S,-1)₂(ClO₄)₂]. The crystal structural determination shows that both 2 and 3 crystallize in chiral enantiomorphous space groups (P6₁22 and P6₅22) and their structures are 1D infinite chain, and are just enantiomorphous pairs most like. The spontaneous resolution process displays estimated ee values of ca. +0.6 for 2-butanol and ca. −0.4 for ethanol. Enantiomerically pure (S,S)-trans-2,3-dihydro-2,3-dipyridyl-benzo[e]indole (S,S,-1) can be obtained through the decomposition of mechanically separated 3. Additionally (S,S,-1) also crystallizes in a chiral space group (P2₁). The CD (circular dichroism) spectra of both 2 and 3 in the solid state are also approximately enantiomorphous pairs. However, their fluorescent spectra in the solid state display a moderate difference in maximum emission peaks (Δλ = 19 nm). Crystal data for 2: C₄₄H₃₄Cl₂N₆O₈Cd, M = 958.07, hexagonal, P6₁22, a = 10.5488(5), c = 68.256(4) Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 120°, V = 6577.8(6) Å³, Z = 6, D_c = 1.451 mg m⁻³, R₁ = 0.0498, wR₂ = 0.1124, μ = 0.679 mm⁻¹, S = 0.623, Flack χ = −0.02(6). For space group P6₅22, R₁ = 0.0670, wR₂ = 0.1602, S = 0.725 with a Flack value of 1.03(7); Crystal data for 3, C₄₄H₃₄Cl₂N₆O₈Cd, M = 958.07, hexagonal, P6₅22, a = 10.5446(3), c = 68.265(3) Å, V = 6573.3(4) Å³, Z = 6, D_c = 1.452 mg m⁻³, R₁ = 0.0444,wR₂ = 0.1002, μ = 0.679 mm⁻¹, S = 0.558, Flack χ = 0.01(5). For space group P6₁22, R₁ = 0.0501, wR₂ = 0.1178, S = 0.599 with a Flack value of 1.00(5). The low Flack parameter indicates that the absolute configurations of 2 and 3 are stated; Crystal data for (S,S)-1, C₂₂H₁₇N₂, M = 323.39, orthorhombic, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 9.2598(7), b = 9.4617(8), c = 19.1452(16) Å, V = 1677.4(2) Å³, Z = 4, D_c = 1.281 mg m⁻³, R₁ = 0.0417, wR₂ = 0.1191, T = 293 K, μ = 0.077 mm⁻¹, S = 0.862.