Enzymatic synthesis lipase-catalysed reactions

Microemulsions are used as reaction media for a variety of chemical reactions. The aqueous droplets of water-in-oil micro emulsions can be regarded as minireactors for the preparation of nanoparticles of metals and metal salts and particles of the same size as the starting microemulsion droplets can be obtained [1-3]. Polymerisation in micro emulsions is an efficient way to prepare nanolatexes and also to make polymers of very high molecular weight. Both discontinuous and bicontinuous micro emulsions have been used for the purpose [4]. Microemulsions are also of interest as media for enzymatic reactions. Much work has been done with lipase-catalysed reactions and water-in-oil microemulsions have been found suitable for ester synthesis and hydrolysis, as well as for transesterification [5,6]. 

For the enantiopure production of human rhinovirus protease inhibitors scientists from Pfizer developed a kinetic resolution and recycling sequence (Scheme 6.14 A). The undesired enantiomer of the ester is hydrolysed and can be racemised under mild conditions with DBU. This enzymatic kinetic resolution plus racemisation replaced a significantly more expensive chemical approach [52]. An enzymatic kinetic resolution, in combination with an efficient chemically catalysed racemisation, is the basis for a chiral building block for the synthesis of Talsaclidine and Revatropate, neuromodulators acting on cholinergic muscarinic receptors (Scheme 6.14B). In this case a protease was the key to success [53]. Recently a kinetic resolution based on a Burkholderia cepacia lipase-catalysed reaction leading to the fungicide Mefenoxam was described [54]. Immobilisation of the enzyme ensured >20 cycles of use without loss of activity (Scheme 6.14 C). 

Esters are common components in cosmetics and skin-care products. They can be synthesized from fatty acids and alcohols using either chemical or enzymatic reactions. The chemical reactions are normally catalysed by acid catalysts. Enzymatic synthesis is carried out under milder conditions and therefore it provides products of very high purity. A range of esters such as isopropyl palmitate and isopropyl myristate are now produced industrially using enzymatic synthesis. The reactions are carried out in solvent-free systems using an immobilised lipase as catalyst. In order to get high yields in the reactions, water is removed continuously. 

In 2004, Ley et al. [45] showed a stereoselective enzymatic synthesis of cis-pellitorine [N-isobutyldeca-(2 ,4Z)-dienamide], a taste-active alkamide naturally occurring in tarragon. The reactants were ethyl ( ,Z)-2,4-decadienoate— the pear ester described before—and isobutyl amine. The reaction is catalysed by lipase type B from Candida antarctica (commercially available), which shows a remarkable selectivity towards the 2 ,4Z ester. The yield was about 80%. 

In contrast to Mori s synthesis, Pawar and Chattapadhyay used enzymatically controlled enantiomeric separation as the final step [300]. Butanone H was converted into 3-methylpent-l-en-3-ol I. Reaction with trimethyl orthoacetate and subsequent Claisen-orthoester rearrangement yielded ethyl (E)-5-methyl-hept-4-enoate K. Transformation of K into the aldehyde L, followed by reaction with ethylmagnesium bromide furnished racemic ( )-7-methylnon-6-ene-3-ol M. Its enzyme-catalysed enantioselective transesterification using vinylacetate and lipase from Penicillium or Pseudomonas directly afforded 157, while its enantiomer was obtained from the separated alcohol by standard acetylation. 

It has been demonstrated that the combination of metal-catalysed racemisation and enzymatic kinetic resolution is a powerful method for the synthesis of optically active compounds from racemic alcohols and amines. There are many metal complexes active for racemisation, but the conditions for enzymatic acylation often limit the application of the metal complexes to DKR. In the case of DKR of alcohols, complementary catalyst systems are now available for the synthesis of both (R)- and (5)-esters. Thus, (R)-esters can be obtained by the combination of an R-selective lipase, such as CAL-B or LPS, and a racemisation catalyst, whereas the use of an A-selective protease, such as subtilisin, at room temperature provides (5)-esters. The DKR of alcohols can be achieved not only for simple alcohols but also for those bearing various additional functional groups. The DKR of alcohols has also been applied to the synthesis of chiral polymers and coupled to tandem reactions, producing various polycyclic compounds. 

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