Biphasic recognition chiral extraction: A novel method for separation of mandelic acid enantiomers

Surface modified nanoparticles and their applications for enantioselective detection, analysis, and separation of various chiral compounds

The development of efficient enantioselective detection, analysis, and separation relies significantly on molecular interaction. In the scale of molecular interaction, nanomaterials have a significant influence on the performance of enantioselective recognitions. The use of nanomaterials for enantioselective recognition involved synthesizing new materials and immobilization techniques to produce various surface-modified nanoparticles that are either encapsulated or attached to surfaces, as well as layers and coatings. The combination of surface-modified nanomaterials and chiral selectors can improve enantioselective recognition. This review aims to offer engagement insights into the production and application of surface-modified nanomaterials to achieve sensitive and selective detection, better chiral analysis, and separation of numerous chiral compounds.

Rapid discrimination of enantiomers by ion mobility mass spectrometry and chemical theoretical calculation: Chiral mandelic acid and its derivatives

Because R/S-mandelic acids (MA) and their derivatives are critical starting materials or intermediates in the synthesis of chiral drugs, their chirality discrimination is important. In this study, R/S-MA and its derivatives, including R/S-2-phenylpropionic acid (2-PPA), R/S-methoxyphenylaceticacid (MPA), and R/S-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (HPBA), were accurate simultaneous mobility-discriminated by forming diastereomer complexes for the first time, which were obtained by simply mixing with cyclodextrins (α, β, γ-CD) and transition-metal ions (Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺). The mass spectra revealed non-covalent diastereomer complexes formed by CD, enantiomers, and metal ions, and ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS) was performed for 109 pairs of complexes. Significant chiral discrimination was observed in the formed diastereomeric complexes, and their separation peak-to-peak resolution (R_p-p) for the enantiomers depended on the transition metal ion type. In most cases, the R_p-p value gradually increases with CD size, with quaternary complexes having the largest R_p-p value. The greatest chiral distinctions of 2-PPA, MA, MPA, and HPBA were obtained by the diastereomeric complex ions of [(2-PPA)(α)₂+Zn²⁺-H]⁺, [(MA)(α)₂+Zn²⁺-H]⁺, [(MPA)₂(β)+Co²⁺-H]⁺, and [(HPBA)(α)₂+Fe²⁺-H]⁺, with R_p-p values of 1.35, 1.57, 1.70, and 0.71, respectively. Furthermore, the favorable conformation and collisional cross section (CCS) value of the different [CD + R/S-MA + Cu-H]⁺ complexes were measured using chemical theoretical calculations to detail their intermolecular interaction, revealing that [α-CD + R/S-MA + Cu-H]⁺ has two favored gas complexes, and the CCS calculated were consistent with the TIMS observed. In addition, R² > 0.99 was obtained for the relative quantification of the chiral enantiomers. Overall, the proposed method provides a promising strategy for distinguishing the enantiomers of MA and their derivatives, with the advantages of simplicity, speed, and accuracy, without the need for complex chemical derivatization or chromatographic separation.

Optimization of the medium composition and product extraction for R-mandelic acid using recombinant Escherichia coli expressing Alcaligenes sp. nitrilase

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the components of the medium on nitrilase expression in recombinant Escherichia coli ( E. coli), which is applied in the hydrolysis of racemic mandelonitrile (MN) to R-mandelic acid (MA). In addition, the separation of R-MA from the reaction mixture is studied. The glycerol medium is screened, and compositions are optimized in single-factor experiments. The nitrilase activity is 1.96-fold higher than before using the optimal medium containing peptone 15 g/L, yeast extract 12 g/L, NaCl 10 g/L, glycerol 15 g/L, (NH4)2SO4 5 g/L, KH2PO4 10 mM, K2HPO4·3H2O 10 mM, and MgSO4·7H2O 15 mM. During the acid-base extraction of R-MA, the optimal alkaline pH, the alkaline extractant ratio, the optimal acidic pH, the acidic extractant ratio and the amount of activated carbon are 10.0, 1:0.5 (once), 2.50, 1:2 (twice) and 1%, respectively. This study provides a basis for the industrial production of R-MA.

Efficient enantioresolution of aromatic α-hydroxy acids with Cinchona alkaloid-based zwitterionic stationary phases and volatile polar-ionic eluents

Single enantiomers of mandelic acid (1), 3-phenyllactic acid (2), and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)lactic acid (3) are the subject of many fields of investigation, spanning from the pharmaceutical synthesis to that of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, while passing from the interest towards their antimicrobial activity to their role as biomarkers of particular pathological conditions or occupational exposures to specific xenobiotics. All above mentioned issues justify the need for accurate analytical methods enabling the correct determination of the individual enantiomers. So far, all the developed liquid chromatography (LC) methods were not or hardly compatible with mass spectrometry (MS) detection. In this paper, a commercially available Cinchona-alkaloid derivative zwitterionic chiral stationary phase [that is, the CHIRALPAK® ZWIX(-)] was successfully used to optimize the enantioresolution of compounds 1-3 under polar-ionic (PI) conditions with a mobile phase consisting of an acetonitrile/methanol 95/5 (v/v) mixture with 80 mM formic acid. With the optimized conditions, enantioseparation and enantioresolution values up to 1.46 and 4.41, respectively, were obtained. In order to assess the applicability of the optimized enantioselective chromatography conditions in real-life scenarios and on MS-based systems, a proof-of-concept application was efficiently carried out by analysing dry urine spot samples spiked with 1 by means of a LC-MS system. The (S)<(R) enantiomer elution order (EEO) was established for compounds 1 and 2 by analysing a pure enantiomeric standard of known configuration. This was not possible for 3 because not commercially available. For this compound, the same EEO was identified applying a procedure based on ab initio time-dependent density-functional theory simulations coupled to electronic circular dichroism analyses. Moreover, a molecular dynamics simulation unveiled the role of the phenolic OH in compound 3 in the retention mechanism.

Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Based on Dehydroabietylamine as Chiral Monomers for the Enantioseparation of RS-Mandelic Acid

Stereoselective adsorption of the enantiomers shows potential in the resolution of a racemate. In this work, we synthesized novel magnetic surface molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on the surface of the γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS)-modified Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ particles to utilize chiral dehydroabietylamine (DHA) as a functional monomer and R-mandelic acid as a template molecule (DHA-MIPs). We performed the resolution of mandelic acid racemate (RS-MA) via adsorption on the as-prepared MIPs. The results revealed that the MIPs have good affinity and high adsorption capacity for R-MA and show better enantioselective adsorption ability for R-MA than that for S-MA. One-stage adsorption of RS-MA on the MIPs can achieve up to 53.7% enantiomeric excess (ee) for R-MA. These help us to improve the chiral separation ability of the traditional MIPs using a chiral rather than an achiral monomer in MIP preparation. The MIPs can be employed as an economic and efficient adsorbent for chiral separation of MA racemate.

Chiroptical characterization tools for asymmetric small molecules - experimental and computational approaches for electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and anisotropy spectroscopy

Synchrotron radiation electronic circular dichroism (SRECD) and anisotropy spectroscopy for both enantiomers of a group of small non-planar chiral molecules are reported here. The experimental SRECD spectra are compared to computational ECD spectra generated using time-dependent density functional theory and a thermal averaging over relevant molecular configurations. The combination of these experimental and computational characterization methodologies for such molecules enables the prediction and understanding of the spectral behavior of other small molecules, in addition to chiroptically characterizing members of the mandelic acid family substructure. Enantiomeric purity of samples can be evaluated in comparison with these spectra and the extent of photolytic enantioinduction can also be predicted using these experimental/calculated SRECD and anisotropy spectra.

Experimental and computational electronic circular dichroism spectra are used in conjunction with anisotropy spectra to chiroptically characterize mandelic acid and its derivatives into the vacuum UV.

The development of biphasic chiral recognition in chiral separation

In chiral separation, enantioseparation factor is an important parameter which influences the resolution of enantiomers. In this current overview, a biphasic chiral recognition method is introduced to the readers. This method can significantly improve the enantioseparation factor in two-phase solvent through adding lipophilic and hydrophilic chiral selectors which have opposite chiral recognition ability to organic and aqueous phases, respectively. This overview presents the development and applications of biphasic chiral recognition in liquid-liquid extraction and counter current chromatography. It mainly focuses on the topics of mechanism, advantages and limitations, applications, and key factors of biphasic chiral recognition. In addition, the future outlook on development of biphasic chiral recognition also has been discussed in this overview.

The construction of electrochemical chiral interfaces using hydroxypropyl chitosan

A simple chiral electrochemical sensor based on hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) covalently bound to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was developed for the recognition of mandelic acid (MA) enantiomers.

Enantioselective cascade biocatalysis for deracemization of 2-hydroxy acids using a three-enzyme system

Background

Enantiopure 2-hydroxy acids are key intermediates for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. We present an enantioselective cascade biocatalysis using recombinant microbial cells for deracemization of racemic 2-hydroxy acids that allows for efficient production of enantiopure 2-hydroxy acids.

Results

The method was realized by a single recombinant Escherichia coli strain coexpressing three enzymes: (S)-2-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase, (R)-2-keto acid reductase and glucose dehydrogenase. One enantiomer [(S)-2-hydroxy acid] is firstly oxidized to the keto acid with (S)-2-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase, while the other enantiomer [(R)-2-hydroxy acid] remains unchanged. Then, the keto acid obtained reduced to the opposite enantiomer with (R)-2-keto acid reductase plus cofactor regeneration enzyme glucose dehydrogenase subsequently. The recombinant E. coli strain coexpressing the three enzymes was proven to be a promising biocatalyst for the cascade bioconversion of a structurally diverse range of racemic 2-hydroxy acids, giving the corresponding (R)-2-hydroxy acids in up to 98.5 % conversion and >99 % enantiomeric excess.

Conclusions

In summary, a cascade biocatalysis was successfully developed to prepare valuable (R)-2-hydroxy acids with an efficient three-enzyme system. The developed elegant cascade biocatalysis possesses high atom efficiency and represents a promising strategy for production of highly valued (R)-2-hydroxy acids.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12934-016-0560-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Enantioseparation of mandelic acid derivatives by high performance liquid chromatography with substituted β-cyclodextrin as chiral mobile phase additive and evaluation of inclusion complex formation

The enantioseparation of ten mandelic acid derivatives was performed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) or sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) as chiral mobile phase additives, in which inclusion complex formations between cyclodextrins and enantiomers were evaluated. The effects of various factors such as the composition of mobile phase, concentration of cyclodextrins and column temperature on retention and enantioselectivity were studied. The peak resolutions and retention time of the enantiomers were strongly affected by the pH, the organic modifier and the type of β-cyclodextrin in the mobile phase, while the concentration of buffer solution and temperature had a relatively low effect on resolutions. Enantioseparations were successfully achieved on a Shimpack CLC-ODS column (150×4.6mm i.d., 5μm). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.10molL(-1) of phosphate buffer at pH 2.68 containing 20mmolL(-1) of HP-β-CD or SBE-β-CD. Semi-preparative enantioseparation of about 10mg of α-cyclohexylmandelic acid and α-cyclopentylmandelic acid were established individually. Cyclodextrin-enantiomer complex stoichiometries as well as binding constants were investigated. Results showed that stoichiometries for all the inclusion complex of cyclodextrin-enantiomers were 1:1.

Improvement of Alcaligenes faecalis nitrilase by gene site saturation mutagenesis and its application in stereospecific biosynthesis of (R)-(-)-mandelic acid

Nitrilases have recently received considerable attention as the biocatalysts for stereospecific production of carboxylic acids. To improve the activity, the nitrilase from Alcaligenes faecalis was selected for further modification by the gene site saturation mutagenesis method (GSSM), based on homology modeling and previous reports about mutations. After mutagenesis, the positive mutants were selected using a convenient two-step high-throughput screening method based on product formation and pH indicator combined with the HPLC method. After three rounds of GSSM, Mut3 (Gln196Ser/Ala284Ile) with the highest activity and ability of tolerance to the substrate was selected. As compared to the wild-type A. faecalis nitrilase, Mut3 showed 154% higher specific activity. Mut3 could retain 91.6% of its residual activity after incubation at pH 6.5 for 6 h. In a fed-batch reaction with 800 mM mandelonitrile as the substrate, the cumulative production of (R)-(-)-mandelic acid after 7.5 h of conversion reached 693 mM with an enantiomeric excess of 99%, and the space-time productivity of Mut3 was 21.50-fold higher than that of wild-type nitrilase. The Km, Vmax, and k(cat) of wild-type and Mut3 for mandelonitrile were 20.64 mM, 33.74 μmol mg(-1) min(-1), 24.45 s(-1), and 9.24 mM, 47.68 μmol mg(-1) min(-1), and 34.55 s(-1), respectively. A homology modeling and molecular docking study showed that the diameter of the catalytic tunnel of Mut3 became longer and that the tunnel volume was smaller. These structural changes are proposed to improve the hydrolytic activity and pH stability of Mut3. Mut3 has the potential for industrial applications in the upscale production of (R)-(-)-mandelic acid.

Stereo-selective conversion of mandelonitrile to (R)-(−)-mandelic acid using immobilized cells of recombinant Escherichia coli

Immobilized cells of a recombinant Escherichia coli expressing nitrilase from Pseudomonas putida were used to catalyze the hydrolysis of mandelonitrile (2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetonitrile) to (R)-(−)-mandelic acid. The cells had been immobilized by entrapment in an alginate matrix. Conditions for the hydrolysis reaction were optimized in shake flasks and in a packed bed reactor. In shake flasks the best conditions for the reaction were a temperature of 40 °C, pH 8, biocatalyst bead diameter of 4.3 mm, sodium alginate concentration in the gel matrix of 2 % (w/v, g/100 mL), a cell dry mass concentration in the bead matrix of 20 mg/mL, an initial substrate concentration of 50 mM and a reaction time of 60 min. Under these conditions, the conversion of mandelonitrile was nearly 95 %. In the packed bed reactor, a feed flow rate of 20 mL/h at a substrate concentration of 200 mM proved to be the best at 40 °C, pH 8, using 4.3 mm beads (2 % w/v sodium alginate in the gel matrix, 20 mg dry cell concentration per mL of gel matrix). This feed flow rate corresponded to a residence time of 0.975 h in the packed bed.