Production of enantiopure chiral aryl heteroaryl carbinols using whole‐cell Lactobacillus paracasei biotransformation

Abstract

Aryl and heteroaryl chiral carbinols are useful precursors in the synthesis of drugs. Lactobacillus paracasei BD87E6, which is obtained from a cereal based fermented beverage, was investigated as whole cell biocatalyst for the bioreduction of different ketones (including aromatic, hetero-aromatic and fused bicyclic ketone) into chiral carbinols, which can be used as a pharmaceutical intermediate. The study shows that bioreduction of aryl, heteroaryl and fused bicyclic ketone (1-5) to their corresponding chiral carbinols (1a-5a) in excellent enantioselectivity (>99%) with high yields. This study gave the first example for an enantiopure production of (S)-6-chlorochroman-4-ol (3a), which has many antioxidant activity, by a biological method. For asymmetric bioreduction of other prochiral ketones, these results open way to use of L. paracasei BD87E6 as biocatalysts. Also, the present process shows a hopeful and alternative green synthesis for the production of enantiopure carbinols in a mild, inexpensive and environmentally friendly process.     

生物还原反应在手性药物不对称合成中的应用

药物分子的立体化学决定了其生物活性,手性已成为药物研究的一个关键因素。利用“环境友好”的微生物或酶催化方法进行手性药物的不对称合成已成为一个极具吸引力的方向。而微生物催化还原前手性羰基则可以不对称的得到手性的羟基,用于光学活性手性药物的合成。综述了近年来利用生物还原方法进行制备量和商业规模的不对称合成手性药物的进展。     

Stereo- and regioselectivity in asymmetric synthesis of α-amino substituted benzocyclic compounds

The enantiomerically pure chiral benzocyclic amines 6–8 were obtained by asymmetric transamination of the corresponding prochiral ketones 9a–c. The method involves: (a) formation of chiral imines 10a–c from the prochiral ketones 9a–c and the inexpensive chiral auxiliary (R)- or (S)-phenylethylamine (PEA); (b) asymmetrically induced reduction of these imines to the diastereomeric amines 11a–c and 12a–c; (c) catalytic hydrogenation to remove the benzylic fragment of the chiral PEA auxiliary. The stereoselectivity of the imine reduction, as well as the regioselectivity of the catalytic hydrogenation, are strongly dependent on the size of the saturated ring condensed with the benzene ring. This approach was used to develop a convenient, high yielding, and stereoselective route to several practically important optically active α-amino substituted benzocyclic compounds.     

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones catalyzed by chiral phosphineiridium complexes

The complexes formed in situ from Ir(COD)acac and chiral menthylphenylphosphines proved to be active catalysts in the hydrogen transfer reaction from isopropanol to prochiral ketones. When acetophenone was used, optical yields of up to 42% were achieved, the configuration of the carbinols being dependent on the bulkiness of the phosphine employed. Concerning the reaction rate, the activation process and the P/Ir ratio, the two menthyl-substituted phenylphosphines display different behaviour.     

Enzymatic synthesis of chiral heteroaryl alcohols using plant fragments as the only biocatalyst and reducing agent

Abstract

The enzymatic reduction of prochiral heterocyclic ketones by carrot (Daucus carota) root in water afforded the corresponding S-alcohols in accordance with the Prelog's rule. The reaction was performed under various conditions in order to optimize the procedure of bioreduction regarding reaction time, yield, and optimal mass of carrot. The optimized procedure was used to test the ability of other plants to carry out the reaction. In the latter experiment, it was observed that, with regard to stereospecificity, most vegetables tested were poorer reducing agents compared to D. carota.     

Chiral Borate Esters in Asymmetric Synthesis. Part 2

Asymmetric catalytic activity of the chiral spiroborate esters 1 – 9 with a O₃BN framework (see Fig. 1) toward borane reduction of prochiral ketones was examined. In the presence of 0.1 equiv. of a chiral spiroborate ester, prochiral ketones were reduced by 0.6 equiv. of borane in THF to give (R)‐secondary alcohols in up to 92% ee and 98% isolated yields (Scheme 1). The stereoselectivity of the reductions depends on the constituents of the chiral spiroborate ester (Table 2) and the structure of the prochiral ketones (Table 1). The configuration of the products is independent of the chirality of the diol‐derived parts of the catalysts. A mechanism for the catalytic behavior of the chiral spiroborate esters (R,S)‐ 2 and (S,S)‐ 2 during the reduction is also suggested.     

Enantioselective Reduction of Prochiral Ketones with NaBH4/Me2SO4/(S)-Me-CBS

The enantioselective reduction of prochiral ketones with NaBH₄/Me₂SO₄/(S)-Me-CBS is described. Borane is generated in situ via the reaction of NaBH₄ with Me₂SO₄ in tetrahydrofuran, which is as efficient as the commercial one. Such in situ–generated borane reagent was applied to reduce prochiral ketones in the presence of chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst directly. The corresponding chiral secondary alcohols were obtained with excellent enantiomeric excesses (93–99% ee) and good to excellent yield (80–99%).     

Asymmetric Reduction Using Lithium Aluminum Hydride Modified with Chiral Ligands Prepared from (1R)-(-)-β-Pinene

The reduction of prochiral ketones using chiral reducing reagents, prepared from lithium aluminum hydride and (-)-(1R, 2S, 3S, 5R)-10-anilinopinanediol (5) and (-)-(1R, 2S, 3S, 5R)-10-N-methylanilinopinanediol (6), affords chiral secondary alcohols in useful chemical yields (70 ～ 93%) but in low optical purity (8 ～ 33% ee). Modifiers 5 and 6 are synthesized from (lR)-(-)-β-pinene in three steps.     

New Chiral Ligands with Nonstereogenic Chirotopic Centers for Asymmetric Synthesis

Pseudo- C ₂ -symmetrical ligands have been prepared efficiently: The attachment of the chiral alkyl group to the heteroatom (P or N) through a nonstereogenic, chirotopic carbon center facilitates their synthesis as the configuration at this carbon atom no longer needs to be controlled. Two such ligands were combined, for example, in the base 1 , which is especially useful for asymmetric deprotonation of prochiral ketones [Eq. (a)].     

Enantioselective Catalytic Borane Reductions of Achiral Ketones: Synthesis and Application of New Rigid Catalysts Prepared from (R)-Phenylglycine and (S)-Phenylalanine

Exnantiocontrolled reduction of prochiral ketones with borane in the presence of homochiral amino alcohols 1 - 4 as enantioselective catalysts afforded the chiral corresponding secondary alcohols in moderate to high (55 to 88 %) optical yields.     

A Tailor‐Made Chimeric Thiamine Diphosphate Dependent Enzyme for the Direct Asymmetric Synthesis of (S)‐Benzoins

Thiamine diphosphate dependent enzymes are well known for catalyzing the asymmetric synthesis of chiral α‐hydroxy ketones from simple prochiral substrates. The steric and chemical properties of the enzyme active site define the product spectrum. Enzymes catalyzing the carboligation of aromatic aldehydes to (S)‐benzoins have not so far been identified. We were able to close this gap by constructing a chimeric enzyme, which catalyzes the synthesis of various (S)‐benzoins with excellent enantiomeric excess (>99 %) and very good conversion.     

Synthesis of Chiral Aromatic Alcohols: Use of New C2-Symmetric RhIIICp∗, RuII(cymene), or RuII(benzene) Complexes Containing Chiral Diaminocyclohexane Ligand as Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyst

Abstract

Twelve chiral secondary alcohols were synthesized by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) using C₂-symmetric bis(sulfonamide) ligand (2) derived from (1R,2R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine and complexed with [RhCl₂Cp?]₂, [RuCl₂(cymene)]₂, or [RuCl₂(benzene)]₂ and then used in situ in the reduction of prochiral ketones. The alcohols were obtained in 85–99% yield and 90–99% enantioselectivity with isopropanol as the hydrogen source. Two-fold rate enhancement and better yields were achieved (88–99%) with 80–99% enantioselectivity using the complex [RhCl₂Cp?]₂ and aqueous sodium formate as the hydrogen source.     

Chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes as catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

The common use of NHC complexes in transition‐metal mediated C–C coupling and metathesis reactions in recent decades has established N‐heterocyclic carbenes as a new class of ligand for catalysis. The field of asymmetric catalysis with complexes bearing NHC‐containing chiral ligands is dominated by mixed carbene/oxazoline or carbene/phosphane chelating ligands. In contrast, applications of complexes with chiral, chelating bis(NHC) ligands are rare. In the present work new chiral iridium(I) bis(NHC) complexes and their application in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones are described. A series of chiral bis(azolium) salts have been prepared following a synthetic pathway, starting from L ‐valinol and the modular buildup allows the structural variation of the ligand precursors. The iridium complexes were formed via a one‐pot transmetallation procedure. The prepared complexes were applied as catalysts in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of various prochiral ketones, affording the corresponding chiral alcohols in high yields and moderate to good enantioselectivities of up to 68%. The enantioselectivities of the catalysts were strongly affected by the various, terminal N‐substituents of the chelating bis(NHC) ligands. The results presented in this work indicate the potential of bis‐carbenes as stereodirecting ligands for asymmetric catalysis and are offering a base for further developments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chiral Lithium Amido Aryl Zincates: Simple and Efficient Chemo‐ and Enantio‐Selective Aryl Transfer Reagents

An enantioselective aryl transfer is promoted using chiral tricoordinated lithium amido aryl zincates that are easily accessible reagents and whose chiral appendage is simply recovered for reuse. The arylation reaction is run in good yields (60 % average on twenty substrates) and high enantiomeric excesses (95 % ee average). This occurs whatever the ortho, meta, or para substituent borne by the substrate and a complete chemoselectivity is observed with respect to the aldehyde function. Sensitive groups such as nitriles, esters, ketones, and enolisable substrates resist to the action of the ate reagent, warranting a large scope to this methodology.     

Facile Access to Chiral Alcohols with Pharmaceutical Relevance Using a Ketoreductase Newly Mined from Pichia guilliermondii

Chiral secondary alcohols with additional functional groups are frequently required as important and valuable synthons for pharmaceuticals, agricultural and other fine chemicals. With the advantages of environmentally benign reaction conditions, broad reaction scope, and high stereoselectivity, biocatalytic reduction of prochiral ketones offers significant potential in the synthesis of optically active alcohols. A CmCR homologous carbonyl reductase from Pichia guilliermondii NRRL Y‐324 was successfully overexpressed. Substrate profile characterization revealed its broad substrate specificity, covering aryl ketones, aliphatic ketones and ketoesters. Furthermore, a variety of ketone substrates were asymmetrically reduced by the purified enzyme with an additionally NADPH regeneration system. The reduction system exhibited excellent enantioselectivity (>99% ee) in the reduction of all the aromatic ketones and ketoesters, except for 2‐bromoacetophenone (93.5% ee). Semi‐preparative reduction of six ketones was achieved with high enantioselectivity (>99% ee) and isolation yields (>80%) within 12 h. This study provides a useful guidance for further application of this enzyme in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral alcohol enantiomers.     

Highly Efficient Synthesis of Optically Pure (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol by a Self-Sufficient Whole Cell Biocatalyst

Terminal vicinal diols are important chiral building blocks and intermediates in organic synthesis. Reduction of α-hydroxy ketones provides a straightforward approach to access these important compounds. In this study, it has been found that asymmetric reduction of a series of α-hydroxy aromatic ketones and 1-hydroxy-2-pentanone, catalyzed by Candida magnolia carbonyl reductase (CMCR) with glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) from Bacillus subtilis for cofactor regeneration, afforded 1-aryl-1,2-ethanediols and pentane-1,2-diol, respectively, in up to 99 % ee. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the bioreduction, lyophilized recombinant Escherichia coli whole cells coexpressing CMCR and GDH genes were used as the biocatalyst and α-hydroxy acetophenone as the model substrate, and the reaction conditions, such as pH, cosolvent, the amount of biocatalyst and the presences of a cofactor (i.e., NADP⁺), were optimized. Under the optimized conditions (pH 6, 16 h), the bioreduction proceeded smoothly at 1.0 m substrate concentration without the external addition of cofactor, and the product (S)-1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol was isolated with 90 % yield and 99 % ee. This offers a practical biocatalytic method for the preparation of these important vicinal diols.     

(S)-2-Amino-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-1,1-diphenyl-1-propanol: Synthesis and Application in Enantioselective Reduction of Prochiral Ketones

The title chiral amino alcohol 6 was prepared from (s)-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-alanine methyl ester hydrochloride by its reaction with phenyl magnesium bromide. In the presence of 2 mol% of 6, the borane reduction of prochiral ketones gave optically active secondary alcohols in high yields with the ee's ranged from 40.5 to 100%.     

Synthesis of a water-soluble cationic chiral diamine ligand bearing a diguanidinium and application in asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

A novel water-soluble cationic N-monosulfonated chiral diamine ligand diguanidinium 1c was easily prepared from (R,R)-DPEN and its rhodium complex and was successfully applied in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of prochiral ketones and imines in water by using sodium formate and formic acid as co-hydrogen donors. Various substrates were reduced with high yields and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).     

Characterization and Crystal Structure of a Robust Cyclohexanone Monooxygenase

Cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO) is a promising biocatalyst for industrial reactions owing to its broad substrate spectrum and excellent regio‐, chemo‐, and enantioselectivity. However, the low stability of many Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases is an obstacle for their exploitation in industry. Characterization and crystal structure determination of a robust CHMO from Thermocrispum municipale is reported. The enzyme efficiently converts a variety of aliphatic, aromatic, and cyclic ketones, as well as prochiral sulfides. A compact substrate‐binding cavity explains its preference for small rather than bulky substrates. Small‐scale conversions with either purified enzyme or whole cells demonstrated the remarkable properties of this newly discovered CHMO. The exceptional solvent tolerance and thermostability make the enzyme very attractive for biotechnology.     

Stereochemical preference of Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 mediated deracemization: E- versus Z-aryl secondary alcohols

The stereochemical preference of the biocatalyst, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330, was investigated with respect to the E/Z configuration in the deracemization and the asymmetric reduction of aryl secondary alcohols and prochiral ketones, respectively. The biocatalyst preferred the E-isomers over Z-isomers as substrates as evidenced from the experimental results of >99% ee and up to 86% isolated yield for E-secondary alcohols. The synthesis of enantiomerically pure E-4-phenylbut-3-ene-1,2-diol (ee >99%, isolated yield 86%) by whole cell mediated deracemization is reported here for the first time. The geometric preference of the enzymes was confirmed by using the cell free extract of this biocatalyst. Mechanistic insights using in silico studies showed that the E-isomers when located in the active site are favourably placed with respect to the catalytic triad (Ser-Tyr-Lys) for hydride transfer from NADPH.