Biocatalytic Asymmetric Michael Additions of Nitromethane to ?,?-Unsaturated Aldehydes via Enzyme-bound Iminium Ion Intermediates.
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ABSTRACT: The enzyme 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) exploits an N-terminal proline as main catalytic residue to facilitate several promiscuous C-C bond-forming reactions via enzyme-bound enamine intermediates. Here we show that the active site of this enzyme can give rise to further synthetically useful catalytic promiscuity. Specifically, the F50A mutant of 4-OT was found to efficiently promote asymmetric Michael additions of nitromethane to various ?,?-unsaturated aldehydes to give ?-nitroaldehydes, important precursors to biologically active ?-aminobutyric acids. High conversions, high enantiocontrol, and good isolated product yields were achieved. The reactions likely proceed via iminium ion intermediates formed between the catalytic Pro-1 residue and the ?,?-unsaturated aldehydes. In addition, a cascade of three 4-OT(F50A)-catalyzed reactions followed by an enzymatic oxidation step enables assembly of ?-nitrocarboxylic acids from three simple building blocks in one pot. Our results bridge organo- and biocatalysis, and they emphasize the potential of enzyme promiscuity for the preparation of important chiral synthons.
SUBMITTER: Guo C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6503466 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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