A modular approach to catalytic stereoselective synthesis of chiral 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols

Optically pure 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols are the most privileged structural motifs, widely present in natural products, pharmaceuticals and chiral auxiliaries or ligands. However, their synthesis relies on the use of toxic or expensive metal catalysts or suffer from low regioselectivity. Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of optically pure 1,n-diols from bulk chemicals in a highly stereoselective and atom-economical manner remains a formidable challenge. Here, we disclose a versatile and modular method for the synthesis of enantioenriched 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols from the high-production-volume chemicals ethane-1,2-diol (MEG) and 1,3-propanediol (PDO), respectively. The key to success is to temporarily mask the diol group as an acetonide, which imparts selectivity to the key step of C(sp3)-H functionalization. Additionally, 1,n-diols containing two stereogenic centers are also prepared through diastereoselective C(sp3)-H functionalization. The late-stage functionalization of biological active compounds and the expedient synthesis of chiral ligands and pharmaceutically relevant molecules further highlight the synthetic potential of this protocol.

New Strategy for the Synthesis of Some Valuable Chiral 1,3-Diols with High Enantiomeric Purity: New Organocatalyst, Asymmetric Aldol Reaction, and Reduction

Chiral 1,3-diols are highly valuable molecules used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture. Therefore, in this study, a new strategy was developed to synthesize enantiomerically pure (>99% ee) 1,3-diols. New chiral 1,3-diols (5a-5q) with high enantiomeric purity were synthesized from aldol products chiral 1,3-keto alcohols (4a-4q), which are aldol products with different structures. Chiral 1,3-keto alcohols (4a-4q) were synthesized by a new asymmetric aldol method in the first step. This method was developed using a new proline-derived organocatalyst (3g) and Cu(OTf)2 as an additive in DMSO-H2O for the first time. Almost >99% ee was obtained using our developed aldol procedure. In the second step, original chiral diols (5a-5q) of high enantiomeric purity were obtained by asymmetric reduction of chiral keto alcohols with chiral oxazaborolidine reagents. In this way, a two-step asymmetric reaction was developed for chiral 1,3-diol enantiomers with high enantiomeric purity. The structures of all the original chiral compounds obtained were elucidated by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis methods. Their enantiomeric excesses were determined by the chiral high-performance liquid chromatography method. Both keto alcohols and their corresponding chiral diols synthesized can be used as chiral starting materials and chiral source materials or intermediates in the synthesis of many biologically active molecules, or they can be used as chiral ligands in asymmetric synthesis, serving as organocatalysts.

Synthesis of 3-Phenylserine by a Two-enzyme Cascade System with PLP Cofactor

A two-enzyme cascade system containing ω-transaminase (ω-TA) and L-threonine aldolase (L-ThA) was reported for the synthesis of 3-Phenylserine starting from benzylamine, and PLP was utilized as the only cofactor in these both two enzymes reaction system. Based on the transamination results, benzylamine was optimized as an advantageous amino donor as confirmed by MD simulation results. This cascade reaction system could not only facilitate the in situ removal of the co-product benzaldehyde, enhancing the economic viability of the reaction, but also establish a novel pathway for synthesizing high-value phenyl-serine derivatives. In our study, nearly 95 % of benzylamine was converted, yielding over 54 % of 3-Phenylserine under the optimized conditions cascade reaction.

C-H Bonds as Functional Groups: Simultaneous Generation of Multiple Stereocenters by Enantioselective Hydroxylation at Unactivated Tertiary C-H Bonds

Enantioselective C-H oxidation is a standing chemical challenge foreseen as a powerful tool to transform readily available organic molecules into precious oxygenated building blocks. Here, we describe a catalytic enantioselective hydroxylation of tertiary C-H bonds in cyclohexane scaffolds with H2O2, an evolved manganese catalyst that provides structural complementary to the substrate similarly to the lock-and-key recognition operating in enzymatic active sites. Theoretical calculations unveil that enantioselectivity is governed by the precise fitting of the substrate scaffold into the catalytic site, through a network of complementary weak non-covalent interactions. Stereoretentive C(sp3)-H hydroxylation results in a single-step generation of multiple stereogenic centers (up to 4) that can be orthogonally manipulated by conventional methods providing rapid access, from a single precursor to a variety of chiral scaffolds.

Biosynthesis pathways of expanding carbon chains for producing advanced biofuels

Because the thermodynamic property is closer to gasoline, advanced biofuels (C ≥ 6) are appealing for replacing non-renewable fossil fuels using biosynthesis method that has presented a promising approach. Synthesizing advanced biofuels (C ≥ 6), in general, requires the expansion of carbon chains from three carbon atoms to more than six carbon atoms. Despite some specific biosynthesis pathways that have been developed in recent years, adequate summary is still lacking on how to obtain an effective metabolic pathway. Review of biosynthesis pathways for expanding carbon chains will be conducive to selecting, optimizing and discovering novel synthetic route to obtain new advanced biofuels. Herein, we first highlighted challenges on expanding carbon chains, followed by presentation of two biosynthesis strategies and review of three different types of biosynthesis pathways of carbon chain expansion for synthesizing advanced biofuels. Finally, we provided an outlook for the introduction of gene-editing technology in the development of new biosynthesis pathways of carbon chain expansion.

A Tandem Semipinacol Rearrangement/Aldehyde Arylation or Alkylation of Trisubstituted 2,3-Epoxy Alcohols with Grignard Reagents for Functionalized 1,3-Diols

A tandem semipinacol rearrangement/aldehyde arylation or alkylation reaction leading to formation of functionalized 1,3-diols bearing three consecutive tertiary stereocenters is identified from the reaction of various new trisubstituted 2,3-epoxy alcohols with numerous Grignard reagents. This reaction is useful for stereoselective construction of three consecutive tertiary stereocenters. The observed 1,3-diols exist in the anti configuration, which is confirmed by two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy, the crystal structure of acetonide of 1,3-diol analogue 3ai, and further density functional theory studies.

Nickel-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Coupling of Redox-Active Esters with Aliphatic Aldehydes

The addition of alkyl fragments to aliphatic aldehydes is a highly desirable transformation for fragment couplings, yet existing methods come with operational challenges related to the basicity and instability of the nucleophilic reagents commonly employed. We report herein that nickel catalysis using a readily available bioxazoline (BiOx) ligand can catalyze the reductive coupling of redox-active esters with aliphatic aldehydes using zinc metal as the reducing agent to deliver silyl-protected secondary alcohols. This protocol is operationally simple, proceeds under mild conditions, and tolerates a variety of functional groups. Initial mechanistic studies suggest a radical chain pathway. Additionally, alkyl tosylates and epoxides are suitable alkyl precursors to this transformation providing a versatile suite of catalytic reactions for the functionalization of aliphatic aldehydes.

Potassium Base-Promoted Diastereoselective Synthesis of 1,3-Diols from Allylic Alcohols and Aldehydes through a Tandem Allylic-Isomerization/Aldol-Tishchenko Reaction

This study reports the first base-promoted aldol-Tishchenko reactions of allylic alcohols with aldehydes initiated by allylic isomerization. The reaction enables the diastereoselective synthesis of a variety of 1,3-diols with three contiguous stereogenic centers. Unlike commonly reported systems, our method allows the use of readily available allylic alcohols as nucleophiles instead of enolizable aldehydes and ketones.

Expedient Dual Co/Organophotoredox Catalyzed Stereoselective Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers

An efficient and attractive Co/organophotoredox dual catalysis protocol has been developed allowing the stereoselective access to a wide variety of syn-configured 1,3-diols featuring quaternary carbon centers. The synthesis of the target molecules is achieved under ambient reaction conditions using modular and accessible reagents, substituted vinyl cyclic carbonates and aldehydes, and in short reaction times. Mechanistic control experiments suggest that the stereoselectivity can be rationalized via a preferred Zimmerman-Traxler transition state comprising a Co(allyl) species and an activated aldehyde. This newly developed process thus expands the use of base metal catalysis in the construction of challenging quaternary carbon stereocenters.

Nickel-Catalyzed Alkyl-Alkyl Cross-Electrophile Coupling Reaction of 1,3-Dimesylates for the Synthesis of Alkylcyclopropanes

Cross-electrophile coupling reactions of two Csp³-X bonds remain challenging. Herein we report an intramolecular nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling reaction of 1,3-diol derivatives. Notably, this transformation is utilized to synthesize a range of mono- and 1,2-disubstituted alkylcyclopropanes, including those derived from terpenes, steroids, and aldol products. Additionally, enantioenriched cyclopropanes are synthesized from the products of proline-catalyzed and Evans aldol reactions. A procedure for direct transformation of 1,3-diols to cyclopropanes is also described. Calculations and experimental data are consistent with a nickel-catalyzed mechanism that begins with stereoablative oxidative addition at the secondary center.

Chiral Syn-1,3-diol Derivatives via a One-Pot Diastereoselective Carboxylation/ Bromocyclization of Homoallylic Alcohols

Chiral syn-1,3-diols are fundamental structural motifs in many natural products and drugs. The traditional Narasaka-Prasad diastereoselective reduction from chiral β-hydroxyketones is an important process for the synthesis of these functionalized syn-1,3-diols, but it is of limited applicability for large-scale synthesis because (1) highly diastereoselective control requires extra explosive and flammable Et₂BOMe as a chelating agent under cryogenic conditions and (2) only a few functional syn-1,3-diol scaffolds are available. Those involving halogen-functionalized syn-1,3-diols are much less common. There are no reported diastereoselective reactions involving chemical fixation of CO₂/bromocyclization of homoallylic alcohols to halogen-containing chiral syn-1,3-diols. Herein, we report an asymmetric synthesis of syn-1,3-diol derivatives via direct diastereoselective carboxylation/bromocyclization with both relative and absolute stereocontrol utilizing chiral homoallylic alcohols and CO₂ in one pot with up to 91% yield, > 99% ee, and >19:1 dr. The power of this methodology has been demonstrated by the asymmetric synthesis of statins at the pilot plant scale.

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Diastereoselective carboxylation/bromocyclization

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Mild conditions

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Pilot-plant-scale synthesis of statins

Biosynthesis of tert-butyl (3R,5S)-6-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate by carbonyl reductase from Rhodosporidium toruloides in mono and biphasic media

tert-Butyl (3R,5S)-6-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate ((3R,5S)-CDHH) is the key intermediate for synthesis of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Carbonyl reductase exhibits excellent activity toward tert-butyl (S)-6-chloro-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate ((S)-CHOH) to synthesize (3R,5S)-CDHH. In this study, a whole cell biosynthesis reaction system to produce (3R,5S)-CDHH was constructed in organic solvents. A solution of 10% (v/v) Tween-80 was introduced to the reaction system as a co-solvent, which greatly enhanced biotransformation process, giving 98.9% yield, >99% ee and 1.8-fold higher space time yield in 5 h bioconversion of 1 M (S)-CHOH, compared with 98.7% yield and >99% ee in 9 h bioconversion of a purely aqueous reaction system. Moreover, a water-octanol biphasic reaction system was built and 20% of octanol was added as reservoir of substrate resulting in 98% yield, >99% ee and 4.08 mmol L^-1 h^-1 g^-1 (wet cell weight) space time yield. This study paved a way for the whole cell biosynthesis of (3R,5S)-CDHH in mono and biphasic media.

Directed Evolution of Carbonyl Reductase from Rhodosporidium toruloides and Its Application in Stereoselective Synthesis of tert-Butyl (3R,5S)-6-Chloro-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate

tert-Butyl (3R,5S)-6-chloro-3,5-dihydroxyhexanoate ((3R,5S)-CDHH) is a key intermediate of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin synthesis. Carbonyl reductase RtSCR9 from Rhodosporidium toruloides exhibited excellent activity toward tert-butyl (S)-6-chloro-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate ((S)-CHOH). For the activity of RtSCR9 to be improved, random mutagenesis and site-saturation mutagenesis were performed. Three positive mutants were obtained (mut-Gln95Asp, mut-Ile144Lys, and mut-Phe156Gln). These mutants exhibited 1.94-, 3.03-, and 1.61-fold and 1.93-, 3.15-, and 1.97-fold improvement in the specific activity and k_cat/K_m, respectively. Asymmetric reduction of (S)-CHOH by mut-Ile144Lys coupled with glucose dehydrogenase was conducted. The yield and enantiomeric excess of (3R,5S)-CDHH reached 98 and 99%, respectively, after 8 h bioconversion in a single batch reaction with 1 M (S)-CHOH, and the space-time yield reached 542.83 mmol L^-1 h^-1 g^-1 wet cell weight. This study presents a new carbonyl reductase for efficient synthesis of (3R,5S)-CDHH.

Screening, Molecular Cloning, and Biochemical Characterization of an Alcohol Dehydrogenase from Pichia pastoris Useful for the Kinetic Resolution of a Racemic β-Hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl Ketone

The stereoselective synthesis of chiral 1,3-diols with the aid of biocatalysts is an attractive tool in organic chemistry. Besides the reduction of diketones, an alternative approach consists of the stereoselective reduction of β-hydroxy ketones (aldols). Thus, we screened for an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) that would selectively reduce a β-hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl ketone. One potential starting material for this process is readily available by aldol addition of acetone to 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone. Over 200 strains were screened, and only a few yeast strains showed stereoselective reduction activities. The enzyme responsible for the reduction of the β-hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl ketone was identified after purification and subsequent MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis. As a result, a new NADP(+) -dependent ADH from Pichia pastoris (PPADH) was identified and confirmed to be capable of stereospecific and diastereoselective reduction of the β-hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl ketone to its corresponding 1,3-diol. The gene encoding PPADH was cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). To determine the influence of an N- or C-terminal His-tag fusion, three different recombinant plasmids were constructed. Interestingly, the variant with the N-terminal His-tag showed the highest activity; consequently, this variant was purified and characterized. Kinetic parameters and the dependency of activity on pH and temperature were determined. PPADH shows a substrate preference for the reduction of linear and branched aliphatic aldehydes. Surprisingly, the enzyme shows no comparable activity towards ketones other than the β-hydroxy-β-trifluoromethyl ketone.

Enantioselectivity and catalysis improvements of Pseudomonas cepacia lipase with Tyr and Asp modification

A concise strategy to improve the p-nitrophenyl palmitate catalytic activity and enantioselectivity towards secondary alcohols of PcL is described.

A modular phosphate tether-mediated divergent strategy to complex polyols

An efficient and divergent synthesis of polyol subunits utilizing a phosphate tether-mediated, one-pot, sequential RCM/CM/reduction process is reported. A modular, 3-component coupling strategy has been developed, in which, simple “order of addition” of a pair of olefinic-alcohol components to a pseudo-C₂-symmetric phosphoryl chloride, coupled with the RCM/CM/reduction protocol, yields five polyol fragments. Each of the product polyols bears a central 1,3-anti-diol subunit with differential olefinic geometries at the periphery.