Influence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in the enzyme-catalyzed regioselective acylation of quinic and shikimic acid derivatives

Selective mono-functionalization of 3-epi, 4-epi-, and 5-epi quinic and shikimic acid derivatives has been accomplished by enzymatic acylation with Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A). We propose that the selectivity of this lipase is related to both the inherent receptor selectivity and the degree of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in the ligand. Conformational analysis of the hydroxyl protons has been carried out by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. We have shown that exchange of the hydroxyl protons by acid catalysis provides a useful method for the detection of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The interpretation of exchange rates and coupling constants determines the direction of the H-bonds as conditioned by the relative acceptor and donor properties of the hydroxyl groups. The selectivity of the acylation agrees fully with the effectiveness of H-bonding networks in polyol compounds and with the higher reactivity of the equatorial hydroxyl groups.