Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol

A chemo-enzymatic process for the preparation of (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol (S-CPBA), an important intermediate in the synthesis of many pyrethroids, was developed. The process consists of four stages, including lipase-mediated resolution. The first stage, the synthesis of racemic α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl acetate (CPBAc) from m-phenoxybenzaldehyde (m-PBA) and sodium cyanide in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, resulted in a 75% yield with 95% purity. The second key step is the resolution of the racemic ester by a highly enantioselective lipase from Pseudomonas sp. The immobilized enzyme carried out the transesterification reaction to nearly full conversion (46% out of 50%) with an enantiomeric excess of >96%. The enzymatic reaction was accomplished in a batch system as well as in a fluidized bed column. The reaction was found to be inhibited by accumulation of the product and to a lesser extent, by the aldehyde. The separation of the enantiomerically pure alcohol from the undesired ester was performed by chromatographic techniques, as well as by extraction with hexane. The final racemization step of the (R)-ester was easily attained with the use of triethylamine in diisopropyl ether or toluene. The process was shown to be feasible on a gram scale and shows potential for scale up.     

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%.     

The effect of vinyl esters on the enantioselectivity of the lipase-catalysed transesterification of alcohols

The enantioselectivity of the lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia (PCL) in the transesterification of 2-phenyl-1-propanol 1 was studied using a series of vinyl 3-arylpropanoates as acyl donors. The most enantioselective transesterification reaction of the alcohol was attained by using vinyl 3-(p-iodophenyl)- or 3-(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)propanoates, with enantiomer ratios, E, of 116 and 138, respectively. Vinyl 3-phenylpropanoate was also effective for the resolution of 1 mediated by lipases from P. fluorescens and porcine pancreas and for the PCL-catalysed transesterification of several 2-phenyl-1-alkanols. The enantiomeric resolution of 1 was practically carried out by the first enantioselective transesterification using PCL and vinyl 3-(p-iodophenyl)propanoate to afford (R)-1 and then the enantioselective hydrolysis of the resultant ester to afford (S)-1.     

Lipase-mediated kinetic resolution of (RS)-1-bromo-3-[4-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-phenoxy]-propan-2-ol to (R)-1-bromo-3-(4-(2-methoxyethyl) phenoxy) propan-2-yl acetate

A novel biocatalytic method for the enantioselective synthesis of (R)-bromo-3-[4-(2-methoxy-ethyl) phenoxy]-2-propanol [(R)-BMEPP], a precursor for the synthesis of (S)-metoprolol, an anti hypertensive drug is described. We have developed kinetic resolution of rac-BMEPP by transesterification using Candida rugosa lipase and vinyl acetate as the acyl donor affording the product with excellent conversion (49%) and ee (>99%). Various reaction parameters (source of enzyme, reaction media, and concentration of substrate and acylating agent) for the enzymatic kinetic resolution have been reported.     

Ultrasound promoted enantioselective transesterification of 3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl) propanenitrile catalyzed by lipase

(S)-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl) propanenitrile, which is the key chiral building block for the synthesis of (S)-duloxetine, was successfully prepared via enantioselective transesterification catalyzed by lipase under ultrasound irradiation. Compared with conventional shaking, the enzyme activity and enantioselectivity were dramatically enhanced under ultrasound irradiation. Under optimum reaction conditions (solvent: n-hexane, ultrasound power: 150?W, a_w: 0.33, temperature: 40°C), Pseudomonas sp. lipase exhibited an excellent catalytic performance (enzyme activity: 81.5?μmol?g^?1?min^?1, E-value: 65.4). The reaction achieved its equilibrium in approximately 7?h with a conversion of 53.9% and high enantiopurity (99% ee) of (S)-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl) propanenitrile could be obtained.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of (S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine

(S)-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-Hexafluoroleucine ((S)- 13 ) of 81 % ee is prepared from hexafluoroacetone ( l ) and ethyl bromopyruvate (= ethyl 2-oxopropanoate) in 7 steps with an overall yield of 18% (Schemes 1 and 2). Key step in this sequence is the highly enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl group in α-keto ester 4 either by bakers' yeast (91 % ee) or by ‘catecholborane’ 6 utilizing an oxazaborolidine catalyst, yielding hydroxy ester (R)- 5 with 99% ee. The absolute configuration was determined by X-ray analysis of the HCl adduct (S,R)- 9b of (2S)-N-[(R)- l-phenylethyl]-5,5,5,5′,5′,5′-hexafluoroleucine ethyl ester.     

Über die Enantiomerentrennung durch Verteilung zwischen flüssigen Phasen. 4. Mitteilung. Enantioselektivität der diastereoisomeren Weinsäure-dimenthylester gegenüber α-Aminoalkohol-Salzen

Separation of Enantiomers by Partition between Liquid Phases. Enantioselectivity of Diastereoisomeric Dimenthyl Tartarates towards α-Aminoalcohol Salts The enantioselectivity of the easily obtainable diastereoisomeric dimenthyl tartarates I and II towards the salts of a series of α-aminoalcohols 1 - 10 was investigated by partition between aqueous and lipophilic phase. The measured enantiomer distribution constants Q (=K_A/K_B) confirm the previously observed configurational relationships between the lipophilic tartarates and the preferentially extracted enantiomer of the hydrophilic ammonium slat. However, the (R,R)-ester I is appreciably more selective than its (S,S)-diastereoisomer II or other previously investigated esters. The tartarates I - III transport norephedrin salts through bulk lipophilic membranes with enantioselectivity comparable to that observed in partition experiments. The most enantioselective ester I can be used as an efficient mobile phase for preparative separation of norephedrine enantiomers by flash partition chromatography.     

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of (R)- and (S)-4-Amino-3-Methylbutanoic Acids

(R)- and (S)-4-Amino-3-methylbutanoic acids were synthesized in high yields via initial enantioselective hydrolysis of dimethyl 3-methylglutarate to methyl (R)-3-methylglutarate with pig liver esterase. The ester group was converted to an amine to give (R)-4-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid; the carboxylic acid was converted to an amine to give (S)-4-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid.     

Enantioselective Fluorogenic Assay of Acetate Hydrolysis for Detecting Lipase Catalytic Antibodies

An enantioselective fluorogenic assay for the kinetic resolution of chiral alkyl acetates is demonstrated with 7-(3-acetoxybutoxy)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones (R)- and (S)- 4 or 7-(3-acetoxy-2-methylpropoxy)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ones (R)- 4 and (S)- 6 . The alcohols released by hydrolysis of these acetates are oxidized by horse-liver alcohol dehydrogenase to unstable β-(aryloxy)carbonyl compounds, which undergo β-elimination of the strongly fluorescent product umbelliferone (=7-hydroxy-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one; 3 ) (λ_em=460±20 nm, λ_ex=360±20 nm). Enantioselectivities are calculated from the reaction rates for each enantiomeric acetate. For a series of representative lipases, the reactivities and enantioselectivities under preparative conditions are predicted accurately. This highly sensitive enantioselective assay detects as little as 10 μg/ml of hydrolytic enzyme, can be carried out in 96-well microtiter plates, and is compatible with cell-culture media. It is, therefore, suited for screening libraries of antibodies for enantioselective lipase catalytic antibodies.     

Syntheses of the Enantiomers of γ-Cyclogeranic Acid, γ-Cyclocitral,and γ-Damascone: Enantioselective protonation of enolates

(R)-and (S)-γ-cyclogeranic acid ((R)-and (S)- 9 , resp.) were obtained by resolution of the racemate, and their absolute configurations determined by chemical correlation. The γ-acids (R)-and (S)- 9 were converted into (R)-and (S)-methyl γ-cyclogeranate ((R)-and (S)- 6 , resp.), and (R)-and (S)-γ-damascone ((R)-and (S)- 5 , resp.). A more direct entry to (R)-and (S)- 9 consisted in the enantioselective protonation of a thiol ester enolate with (?)- or (γ)-N-isopropylephedrine((?)- or (γ)- 20 ) and subsequent hydrolysis of the (R)-and (S)-S-phenyl γ-thiocyclogeranate ((R)- and (S)- 24 , resp.; 97% ee). The esters (R)- and (S)- 24 were also used as precursors of (R)- and (S)-γ-damascone ((R)- and (S)- 5 , resp.). Alternatively, (S)- 5 (75% ee) was obtained by enantioselective protonation of ketone enolate 29 with (?)-N-isopropylephedrine ((?)- 20 ). Organoleptic evaluation demonstrated that the (S)-enantiomers of methyl γ-cyclogeranate and γ-damascone are markedly superior to their (R)-enantiomers.     

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes catalyzed by β‐amino alcohols derived from (1R,2S)‐norephedrine

β‐Amino alcohols derived from (1R,2S)‐norephedrine were synthesized and used as ligands in the catalytic enantioselective diethylzinc addition to benzaldehydes. N‐alkylated (1R,2S)‐norephedrine‐based derivative 3a gave the highest enantioselectivity. The effects of different parameters on the enantioselectivity of the product were investigated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Screening and Immobilization <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> sp. GXU56 Lipase for Enantioselective Resolution of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-Methyl Mandelate

Microorganisms producing lipase were isolated from soil and sewage samples and screened for enantioselective resolution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate to (R)-mandelic acid. A strain designated as GXU56 was obtained and identified as Burkholderia sp. Preparing immobilized GXU56 lipase by simple adsorption on octyl sepharose CL-4B, the optimum temperature was shifted from 40 °C (free lipase) to 50 °C (immobilized lipase), and the optimum pH was shifted from 8.0 (free lipase) to 7.2 (immobilized lipase). The immobilized enzyme displayed excellent stability in the pH range of 5.0–8.0, at the temperatures below 50 °C and in organic solvents compared with free enzyme. Enantioselectivity ratio for (R)-mandelic acid (E) was dramatically improved from 29.2 to more than 300 by applying immobilized lipase in the resolution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate. After five cycles of use of immobilized lipase, conversion and enantiomeric excess of (R)-mandelic acid were 34.5% and 98.5%, respectively, with enantioselectivity ratio for (R)-mandelic acid (E) of 230. Thus, octyl-sepharose-immobilized GXU56 lipase can be used as a bio-resolution reagent for producing (R)-mandelic acid.     

Use of enantio-, chemo- and regioselectivity of acylase I. Resolution of polycarboxylic acid esters

Acylase I was used to catalyze the enantioselective butanolysis of trimethyl 2-[(carboxymethyl)oxy]succinate (E=30) and N-carboxymethylaspartate (E=9) exclusively at the most sterically hindered of the three ester groups (the position α to the asymmetric centre). Gram-scale resolution allowed the preparation of the less reactive trimethyl (S)-2-[(carboxymethyl)oxy]succinate (96% e.e.), that of the (R)-butyldimethyl regioisomer (78% e.e.) at 55% conversion and finally the preparation of the corresponding trisodium carboxylate by saponification. Acylase I was shown to transform (±)-methyl N-acetylmethionine and (±)-valine to the corresponding (S)-amino acids through ester hydrolysis-N-acetyl transfer sequence with absolute chemo- and enantioselectivity. Butanolysis of methyl N-acetylmethionine stopped in the formation of the butyl ester (E=12), the valine derivative being totally unreactive.     

Lipase-Catalyzed Transesterification of Rapeseed Oil for Biodiesel Production with tert-Butanol

Biodiesel is a fatty acid alkyl ester that can be derived from any vegetable oil or animal fat via the process of transesterification. It is a renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic fuel. In this paper, we have evaluated the efficacy of a transesterification process for rapeseed oil with methanol in the presence of an enzyme and tert-butanol, which is added to ameliorate the negative effects associated with excess methanol. The application of Novozym 435 was determined to catalyze the transesterification process, and a conversion of 76.1% was achieved under selected conditions (reaction temperature 40 °C, methanol/oil molar ratio 3:1, 5% (w/w) Novozym 435 based on the oil weight, water content 1% (w/w), and reaction time of 24h). It has also been determined that rapeseed oil can be converted to fatty acid methyl ester using this system, and the results of this study contribute to the body of basic data relevant to the development of continuous enzymatic processes.     

Preparation of (R)- and (S)-4-chloro-3-acetoxybutyronitrile using microbial resolution

A new preparation of optically active 4-chloro-3-acetoxybutyronitrile (AcBN) was developed using the resting cells of bacteria. The resolution was based on enantioselective hydrolysis of the ester function of the substrate. (R)-AcBN was prepared using Pseudomonas sp. DS-K-717, and the resulting (R)-AcBN was obtained with high enantiomeric excess of >98% with a yield of 36% during the microbial resolution step. (S)-AcBN was prepared in the same manner using the resting cells of Pseudomonas sp. DS-K-19 and showed a high enantiomeric excess of >98% with a yield of 32%. The enzyme activity was enhanced and induced by the addition of AcBN, particularly the (R)-ester hydrolysis, which was enhanced 20-fold.     

Enantioselective Oxidative Aerobic Dealkylation of N‐Ethyl Benzylisoquinolines by Employing the Berberine Bridge Enzyme

N‐Dealkylation methods are well described for organic chemistry and the reaction is known in nature and drug metabolism; however, to our knowledge, enantioselective N‐dealkylation has not been yet reported. In this study, exclusively the (S)‐enantiomers of racemic N‐ethyl tertiary amines (1‐benzyl‐N‐ethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinolines) were dealkylated to give the corresponding secondary (S)‐amines in an enantioselective fashion at the expense of molecular oxygen. The reaction is catalyzed by the berberine bridge enzyme, which is known for C? C bond formation. The dealkylation was demonstrated on a 100 mg scale and gave optically pure dealkylated products (ee>99 %).     

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.     

Improved Enantioselective Synthesis of Protected (3S,4S)-4-Amino-3,5-dihydroxypentanoic Acid (ADPA)

An improved enantioselective synthesis of protected (3S,4S)-4-amino-3,5-dihydroxypentanoic acid (ADPA) from L-serine has been developed. Enantioselectivity is improved by replacing the methyl ester with the tert-butyl ester and using neutral magnesium salt of esters to give β-keto ester.     

Reductions of Carboxylic Acids and Esters with NaBH4 in Diglyme at 162°C

Abstract

Aromatic esters, including the extremely sterically hindered ester: t-amyl 2-chlorobenzoate, are readily reduced to the corresponding benzyl alcohols in high yield with NaBH₄ in refluxing diglyme (162°C). In sharp contrast, aliphatic esters usually gave only low yields of alcohols. Instead, diglyme fragmentation products are formed which undergo transesterification reactions, producing complex product mixtures including products such as RCOOCH₂CH₂OCH₃. The mechanism of this process involves sodium borohydride-induced S_N2 cleavage of diglyme (hydride attack) at high temperatures. However, when the extremely electron rich, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid is treated with NaBH₄/diglyme at 162°C (with or without an equivalent of LiCl), no 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzyl alcohol is formed. The electron rich and hindered ester, t-amyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, also does not reduce under these conditions (with or without LiCl). However, both methyl and isopropyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate esters were converted into 3,4,5-trimethyoxybenzyl alcohol in good yields in NaBH₄/diglyme/LiCl at 162°C. These reductions did not occur unless LiCl was present, illustrating the electron releasing effect of the three methoxy functions which reduce the carbonyl group's reactivity.     

Enzymatic resolution of (RS)-2-arylpropionic acid thioesters by Candida rugosa lipase-catalyzed thiotransesterification or hydrolysis in organic solvents

An enzymatic resolution process was developed to produce (S)-naproxen ester, (S)-naproxen or (S)-ibuprofen from the corresponding racemic thioesters by using lipase-catalyzed thiotransesterification or hydrolysis in organic solvents. Enzyme activity is greatly enhanced when activated naproxen thioesters containing an electron-withdrawing group are the substrates. Unlike other lipases, Candida rugosa lipase may discern the sulfur moiety of the thioesters, and yields lower enzyme activity when compared to the corresponding oxygen-containing analogues. Enzyme performances were further compared under various conditions, i.e. different combinations of reaction type (thiotransesterification or hydrolysis), solvent (isooctane or cyclohexane), substrate (naproxen or ibuprofen thioesters) and lipase sources.