New Biosilified Pd-lipase hybrid biocatalysts for dynamic resolution of amines

Expanding the Synthetic Toolbox through Metal-Enzyme Cascade Reactions

The combination of metal-, photo-, enzyme-, and/or organocatalysis provides multiple synthetic solutions, especially when the creation of chiral centers is involved. Historically, enzymes and transition metal species have been exploited simultaneously through dynamic kinetic resolutions of racemates. However, more recently, linear cascades have appeared as elegant solutions for the preparation of valuable organic molecules combining multiple bioprocesses and metal-catalyzed transformations. Many advantages are derived from this symbiosis, although there are still bottlenecks to be addressed including the successful coexistence of both catalyst types, the need for compatible reaction media and mild conditions, or the minimization of cross-reactivities. Therefore, solutions are here also provided by means of catalyst coimmobilization, compartmentalization strategies, flow chemistry, etc. A comprehensive review is presented focusing on the period 2015 to early 2022, which has been divided into two main sections that comprise first the use of metals and enzymes as independent catalysts but working in an orchestral or sequential manner, and later their application as bionanohybrid materials through their coimmobilization in adequate supports. Each part has been classified into different subheadings, the first part based on the reaction catalyzed by the metal catalyst, while the development of nonasymmetric or stereoselective processes was considered for the bionanohybrid section.

Strengthening the Connection between Science, Society and Environment to Develop Future French and European Bioeconomies: Cutting-Edge Research of VAALBIO Team at UCCS

The development of the future French and European bioeconomies will involve developing new green chemical processes in which catalytic transformations are key. The VAALBIO team (valorization of alkanes and biomass) of the UCCS laboratory (Unité de Catalyse et Chimie du Solide) are working on various catalytic processes, either developing new catalysts and/or designing the whole catalytic processes. Our research is focused on both the fundamental and applied aspects of the processes. Through this review paper, we demonstrate the main topics developed by our team focusing mostly on oxygen- and hydrogen-related processes as well as on green hydrogen production and hybrid catalysis. The social impacts of the bioeconomy are also discussed applying the concept of the institutional compass.

Multicatalytic Hybrid Materials for Biocatalytic and Chemoenzymatic Cascades—Strategies for Multicatalyst (Enzyme) Co-Immobilization

During recent decades, the use of enzymes or chemoenzymatic cascades for organic chemistry has gained much importance in fundamental and industrial research. Moreover, several enzymatic and chemoenzymatic reactions have also served in green and sustainable manufacturing processes especially in fine chemicals, pharmaceutical, and flavor/fragrance industries. Unfortunately, only a few processes have been applied at industrial scale because of the low stabilities of enzymes along with the problematic processes of their recovery and reuse. Immobilization and co-immobilization offer an ideal solution to these problems. This review gives an overview of all the pathways for enzyme immobilization and their use in integrated enzymatic and chemoenzymatic processes in cascade or in a one-pot concomitant execution. We place emphasis on the factors that must be considered to understand the process of immobilization. A better understanding of this fundamental process is an essential tool not only in the choice of the best route of immobilization but also in the understanding of their catalytic activity.

Silica Jar-with-Lid as Chemo-Enzymatic Nano-Compartment for Enantioselective Synthesis inside Living Cells

Nanodevices, harvesting the power of synthetic catalysts and enzymes to perform enantioselective synthesis inside cell, have never been reported. Here, we synthesized round bottom jar-like silica nanostructures (SiJARs) with a chemo-responsive metal-silicate lid. This was isolated as an intermediate structure during highly controlled solid-state nanocrystal-conversion at the arc-section of silica shell. Different catalytic noble metals (Pt, Pd, Ru) were selectively modified on the lid-section through galvanic reactions. And, lid aperture-opening was regulated by mild acidic conditions or intracellular environment which accommodated the metal nanocrystals and enzymes, and in turn created an open-mouth nanoreactor. Distinct from the free enzymes, SiJARs performed asymmetric aldol reactions with high activity and enantioselectivity (yield >99 %, ee=95 %) and also functioned as the artificial catalytic organelles inside living cells. This work bridges the enormous potential of sophisticated nanocrystal-conversion chemistry and advanced platforms for new-to-nature catalysis.

Scope and limitation of propylene carbonate as a sustainable solvent in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

The Suzuki–Miyaura reaction is one of the most used transformations in drug research. Thus making this reaction more sustainable is of considerable current interest. Here we show that propylene carbonate (PC) can be used as a solvent for the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction. PC is one of the greenest solvents since it is synthesized under green conditions by the use of carbon dioxide in the air. All reactions proceeded well and good or excellent yields were observed for the biaryl products. Nonetheless in the case of pyridazinones, 2-hydroxypropyl- chain containing side-products were observed. Importantly, this fact allowed the isolation of several novel compounds which were generated under prominently green conditions.

The Suzuki–Miyaura reaction was carried out in propylene carbonate yielding an interesting side-product besides the biphenyl derivative.

From sequential chemoenzymatic synthesis to integrated hybrid catalysis: taking the best of both worlds to open up the scope of possibilities for a sustainable future

Here an overview of all pathways that integrate chemical and biological catalysis is presented. We emphasize the factors to be considered in order to understand catalytic synergy.