Enzyme-mediated asymmetric synthesis

Bufuralol (11) is a p-adrcnoccptor agent (beta-blocker), developed by Roche [8,9], As part of a continuing program on the synthesis of substrates and metabolites for Cytochrome P450 studies, we wished to prepare both optically active bufuralol and an important metabolite, the hydroxybufuralol (12). This brief account of our efforts illustrates the way in which classical resolution is giving way to asymmetric synthesis, whether mediated by synthetic chiral auxiliaries, conventional catalysts, or enzymes. 

The biomimetic approach to total synthesis draws inspiration from the enzyme-catalyzed conversion of squalene oxide (2) to lanosterol (3) (through polyolefinic cyclization and subsequent rearrangement), a biosynthetic precursor of cholesterol, and the related conversion of squalene oxide (2) to the plant triterpenoid dammaradienol (4) (see Scheme la).3 The dramatic productivity of these enzyme-mediated transformations is obvious in one impressive step, squalene oxide (2), a molecule harboring only a single asymmetric carbon atom, is converted into a stereochemically complex polycyclic framework in a manner that is stereospecific. In both cases, four carbocyclic rings are created at the expense of a single oxirane ring. 

Metabolic pathways containing dioxygenases in wild-type strains are usually related to detoxification processes upon conversion of aromatic xenobiotics to phenols and catechols, which are more readily excreted. Within such pathways, the intermediate chiral cis-diol is rearomatized by a dihydrodiol-dehydrogenase. While this mild route to catechols is also exploited synthetically [221], the chirality is lost. In the context of asymmetric synthesis, such further biotransformations have to be prevented, which was initially realized by using mutant strains deficient in enzymes responsible for the rearomatization. Today, several dioxygenases with complementary substrate profiles are available, as outlined in Table 9.6. Considering the delicate architecture of these enzyme complexes, recombinant whole-cell-mediated biotransformations are the only option for such conversions. E. coli is preferably used as host and fermentation protocols have been optimized [222,223]. 

A patent procedure for formation of compounds 19 from simple tartaric acid derivatives has appeared <06USP047129> and various new routes to chiral dioxolanones include synthesis of dioxolan-2-ones either by transition metal-mediated asymmetric synthesis <06T1864> or enzyme-mediated kinetic resolution <06H(68)1329> and a new synthesis of the chiral dioxolan-4-ones 21 from lactic or mandelic acid involving initial formation of intermediates 20 with trimethyl orthoformate in cyclohexane followed by reaction with pivalaldehyde <06S3915>. 

Kinetic resolutions in general are regularly applied in organic synthesis. Since enzymes are highly attractive for asymmetric synthesis, various types of biocatalysts have been used in enzymatic (dynamic) kinetic resolutions, but the focus will remain on lipase- and esterase-mediated resolutions as the most common tools in early steps of natural product syntheses. 

The catalytic, asymmetric hydrogenations of alkenes, ketones and imines are important transformations for the synthesis of chiral substrates. Organic dihydropyridine cofactors such as dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) are responsible for the enzyme-mediated asymmetric reductions of imines in living systems [86]. A biomimetic alternative to NADH is the Hantzsch dihydropyridine, 97. This simple compound has been an effective hydrogen source for the reductions of ketones and alkenes. A suitable catalyst is required to activate the substrate to hydride addition [87-89]. Recently, two groups have reported, independently, the use of 97 in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid (68 or 98) catalyst for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of imines. 

While discussing asymmetric synthesis in Chapter 9 we noted that enzymes are among the best candidates for producing a desired enantiomer with remarkable selectivity. A few specific examples of microbiological y mediated asymmetric synthesis were given to emphasize the attractiveness of this route. 

A comprehensive review (260 refs.) on the synthesis of carbohydrates from noncarbohydrate sources covers the use of benzene-derived diols and products of Sharpless asymmetric oxidation as starting materials, Dodoni s thiazole and Vogel s naked sugar approaches, as well as the application of enzyme-catalysed aldol condensations. The preparation of monosaccharides by enzyme-catalysed aldol condensations is also discussed in a review on recent advances in the chemoenzymic synthesis of carbohydrates and carbohydrate mimetics, in parts of reviews on the formation of carbon-carbon bonds by enzymic asymmetric synthesis and on carbohydrate-mediated biochemical recognition processes as potential targets for drug development, as well as in connection with the introduction of three Aldol Reaction Kits that provide dihydroxyacetone phosphate-dependent aldolases (27 refs.). A further review deals with the synthesis of carbohydrates by application of the nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (13 refs.). ... 

Further work on the preparation of chiral a-amino-acids reported in the past year (see also the section on asymmetric hydrogenation) includes an extension of the utility of anions derived from lactim ethers (228) in the synthesis of such compounds by condensations with aldehydes and ketones chiral inductions are somewhat lower than in the alkylations of (228) reported previously (4, 320). Enzyme-mediated hydrolysis of 5(4H)-oxazolones by chymotrypsin or subtilisin gives a-acylamino-acids with good enantiomeric enrichments, especially if the substrate carries bulky substituents. Schiff s bases of a-amino-esters can be enriched enantiomerically to an extent of up to 70% by sequential deprotonation with a chiral lithium amide and protonation with an optically pure tartaric acid. ... 

From an extensive screening of microorganisms, we first developed such a biocatalyst, Alcallgenes bronchlsepticus, in 1989 [Eq. (11)] [12]. (/ )-Phenylpropionic acid (21a) was obtained from a-methyl-a-phenylmaloiiic acid (22a), and the yield and e.e. of the products were exteemely high. Indeed, this is a new type of biotransformation that can be performed on a preparative scale since the substrates, disubstituted malonates, are readily available via the well-established malonate ester synthesis. To date, all of the attempts for enantioselective decarboxylation of malonates by a chemical asymmetric synthesis resulted in only low to moderate e.e. of the products. In order to understand the mechanism of this enzyme-mediated decarboxylation we embarked on the isolation of the enzyme and further study of its characteristics. 

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