Combination of enzymes and metal catalysts. A powerful approach in asymmetric catalysis

Scaleable processes for the synthesis of (-)-β-D-2,6-diaminopurine dioxolane (Amdoxovir, DAPD) and (-)-β-D-2-aminopurine dioxolane (APD)

An efficient and scalable synthesis of (-)-DAPD and (-)-APD has been developed. We discovered that t-butyl cyanoacetate can be used as a new additive for the sugar nucleoside base coupling step en route to DAPD with improved β-selectivity and an isolated yield four fold greater than the original process scale method. Using this new process, (-)-DAPD has been prepared on greater than 20 g scale. In the synthesis of (-)-APD, a key enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction afforded the water-soluble deprotected α-anomer while leaving the β-anomer completely untouched.

Polymer Mechanochemistry: Force Enabled Transformations

In this viewpoint, we highlight the ability of mechanical force to overcome the limitations associated with using thermal or photochemical stimuli to facilitate chemical transformations. Emphasis will be directed toward examples of new chemical reactions that are accessed through externally applied mechanical forces, as these are illustrative of the emerging concept of using polymer chemistry to drive the synthesis of small molecules. In parallel, we offer perspectives on the potential applications of polymer mechanochemistry in the development of novel synthetic strategies.

Efficient dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic secondary alcohols by a chemoenzymatic system using bifunctional iridium complexes with C-N chelate amido ligands

The combined catalyst system of bifunctional amidoiridium complexes derived from benzylic amines with CALB was found to provide a range of chiral acetates from racemic secondary alcohols in excellent yields with nearly perfect enantioselectivities via dynamic kinetic resolution.

Sequence-regulated copolymers via tandem catalysis of living radical polymerization and in situ transesterification

Sequence regulation of monomers is undoubtedly a challenging issue as an ultimate goal in polymer science. To efficiently produce sequence-controlled copolymers, we herein developed the versatile tandem catalysis, which concurrently and/or sequentially involved ruthenium-catalyzed living radical polymerization and in situ transesterification of methacrylates (monomers: RMA) with metal alkoxides (catalysts) and alcohols (ROH). Typically, gradient copolymers were directly obtained from the synchronization of the two reactions: the instantaneous monomer composition in feed gradually changed via the transesterification of R(1)MA into R(2)MA in the presence of R(2)OH during living polymerization to give R(1)MA/R(2)MA gradient copolymers. The gradient sequence of monomers along a chain was catalytically controlled by the reaction conditions such as temperature, concentration and/or species of catalysts, alcohols, and monomers. The sequence regulation of multimonomer units was also successfully achieved in one-pot by monomer-selective transesterification in concurrent tandem catalysis and iterative tandem catalysis, providing random-gradient copolymers and gradient-block counterparts, respectively. In contrast, sequential tandem catalysis via the variable initiation of either polymerization or in situ transesterification led to random or block copolymers. Due to the versatile adaptability of common and commercially available reagents (monomers, alcohols, catalysts), this tandem catalysis is one of the most efficient, convenient, and powerful tools to design tailor-made sequence-regulated copolymers.

One-pot chemoenzymatic synthesis of chiral 1,3-diols using an enantioselective aldol reaction with chiral Zn2+ complex catalysts and enzymatic reduction using oxidoreductases with cofactor regeneration

We previously reported on enantioselective aldol reactions of acetone and some aldehydes catalyzed by chiral Zn(2+) complexes of L-prolyl-pendant [12]aneN(4) (L-ZnL(1)) and L-valyl-pendant [12]aneN(4) (L-ZnL(2)) in aqueous solution. Here, we report on the one-pot chemoenzymatic synthesis of chiral 1,3-diols in an aqueous solvent system at room temperature by a combination of enantioselective aldol reactions catalyzed by Zn(2+) complexes of L- and D-phenylalanyl-pendant [12]aneN(4) (L-ZnL(3) and D-ZnL(3) ) and the successive enantioselective reduction of the aldol products using oxidoreductases with the regeneration of the NADH (reduced form of nicotinamine adenine dinucleotide) cofactor. The findings indicate that all four stereoisomers of 1,3-diols can be produced by appropriate selection of a chiral Zn(2+)-complex and an oxidoreductase commercially available from the "Chiralscreen OH" kit.

Coupled chemo(enzymatic) reactions in continuous flow

This review highlights the state of the art in the field of coupled chemo(enzymatic) reactions in continuous flow. Three different approaches to such reaction systems are presented herein and discussed in view of their advantages and disadvantages as well as trends for their future development.

Small Pd nanoparticles supported in large pores of mesocellular foam: an excellent catalyst for racemization of amines

Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles (1-2 nm) supported in large-pore mesocellular foam (MCF; 29 nm) were synthesized. The Pd-nanocatalyst/MCF system was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The performance of the Pd nanocatalyst obtained was examined for amine racemization. The Pd nanocatalyst showed higher activity and selectivity toward racemization of (S)-1-phenylethyl amine than any other amine racemization catalyst reported so far and it could be reused several times. Our data from TEM and XRD suggest a restructuring of the Pd nanocatalyst from amorphous to crystalline and an increase in Pd nanocatalyst size during the racemization reaction. This led to an unexpected increase of activity after the first use. The Pd nanocatalyst obtained can be integrated with other resolving processes of racemic organic compounds to increase the yield of chiral organic products.

Chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution as a key step in the enantioselective synthesis of (S)-salbutamol

The synthesis of (S)-salbutamol is described. By utilizing DKR in the enantiodetermining step, employing Burkholderia cepacia lipase (PS-IM), (S)-acetate ((S)-6) was obtained in excellent enantiomeric excess (98%). The subsequent transformations yielded the salt of (S)-salbutamol with retained stereochemistry.

Pincer Ru and Os complexes as efficient catalysts for racemization and deuteration of alcohols

The pincer complexes [MX(CNN)(PP)] (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, OTf; HCNN = 1-(6-arylpyridin-2-yl)methanamine; PP = diphosphine) have proven to efficiently catalyze both racemization and deuteration of alcohols in the presence of a base. Chiral alcohols have been racemized at 30-50 °C using 1 mol% of Ru or Os pincer complexes and 5 mol% of KOtBu in 2-propanol. Primary and secondary alcohols are efficiently deuterated at the α position, with respect to the OH group, using 2-propanol-d(8) as solvent with Ru or Os pincer complexes and KOtBu at 30-50 °C. For secondary alcohols incorporation of deuterium at the β position has also been observed. In 2-propanol-d(8) the pincer complexes catalyze the simultaneous deuteration and racemization of (S)-1-phenylethanol, the two processes being strictly correlated. For both reactions much the same activity has been observed with the Ru and Os complexes. The pincer complexes display a superior activity with respect to the related compounds [MCl(2)(NN)(PP)] (NN = bidentate amine or pyridine ligand). The synthesis of the new complexes [MCl(CNN)(PP)] (M = Ru, 2, 4 and Os, 6, 7; PP = dppb, dppf) and [Ru(OTf)(CNN)(dppb)] (3) is also reported.

Trienamines in asymmetric organocatalysis: Diels-Alder and tandem reactions

The discovery of a novel activation mode provided by organocatalysis is presented. It is demonstrated that the merger of optically active secondary amines and polyenals generates reactive trienamine intermediates, which readily participate in Diels-Alder reactions with different classes of dienophiles, hence, providing a facile entry to highly complex molecular frameworks with excellent stereocontrol. For the Diels-Alder reactions with 3-olefinic oxindoles, spirocyclic oxidoles are formed in high yields, and with enantioselectivities in the range of 94-98% ee. It is demonstrated, that some of these products can be transformed into the hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]indole fragment. The organocatalytic trienamine concept has been extended to also include Diels-Alder reactions of olefins substituted with cyanoacetates providing multifunctional cyclohexenes with three contiguous stereocenters in high yield and good stereocontrol. The novelty of this activation strategy lies within the perfect chirality relay over a distance of up to eight bonds. Moreover, we also present the first trienamine tandem reaction by combining trienamine catalysis with enamine activation. In addition to the experimental results, a detailed mechanistic survey is also provided including NMR spectroscopic studies and calculations of the reactive trienamine intermediates, rationalizing the origin of stereochemistry.

Combining bio- and chemo-catalysis: from enzymes to cells, from petroleum to biomass

In the future, biomass will continue to emerge as a viable source of chemicals. The development of new industries that utilize bio-renewables provides opportunities for innovation. For example, bio- and chemo-catalysts can be combined in 'one pot' to prepare chemicals of commercial value. This has been demonstrated using isolated enzymes and whole cells for a variety of chemical transformations. The one-pot approach has been successfully adopted to convert chemicals derived from biomass, and, in our opinion, it has an important role to play in the design of a more sustainable chemical industry. To implement new one-pot bio- and chemo-catalytic processes, issues of incompatibility must be overcome; the strategies for which are discussed in this opinion article.

Enantioselective synthesis of α-methyl carboxylic acids from readily available starting materials via chemoenzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution

An enantioselective method for the synthesis of α-methyl carboxylic acids starting from trans-cinnamaldehyde, a readily available and inexpensive compound, has been developed. Allylic alcohol 1 was obtained via a standard Grignard addition to trans-cinnamaldehyde. Dynamic kinetic resolution was applied to allylic alcohol 1 utilizing a ruthenium catalyst and either an (R)-selective lipase or an (S)-selective protease to provide the corresponding allylic esters in high yield and high ee. A copper-catalyzed allylic substitution was then applied to provide the corresponding alkenes with inversion of stereochemistry. Subsequent C-C double bond cleavage afforded pharmaceutically important α-methyl substituted carboxylic acids in high ee and overall yields of up to 76%.

Achiral bis-imine in combination with CoCl₂: A remarkable effect on enantioselectivity of lipase-mediated acetylation of racemic secondary alcohol

A bis-imine (prepared via a new FeCl₃-based method) in combination with CoCl₂ facilitated lipase-mediated acetylation of the (R)-isomer of a racemic benzylic secondary alcohol with 91% ee_s. The methodology was used for the preparation of the known drug rivastigmine.