Engineering a Promiscuous Tautomerase into a More Efficient Aldolase for Self‐Condensations of Linear Aliphatic Aldehydes

The enzyme 4‐oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4‐OT) from Pseudomonas putida mt‐2 takes part in a catabolic pathway for aromatic hydrocarbons, where it catalyzes the conversion of 2hydroxyhexa‐2,4‐dienedioate into 2‐oxohexa‐3‐enedioate. This tautomerase can also promiscuously catalyze carbon–carbon bond‐forming reactions, including various types of aldol reactions, by using its amino‐terminal proline as a key catalytic residue. Here, we used systematic mutagenesis to identify two hotspots in 4‐OT (Met45 and Phe50) at which single mutations give marked improvements in aldolase activity for the self‐condensation of propanal. Activity screening of a focused library in which these two hotspots were varied led to the discovery of a 4‐OT variant (M45Y/F50V) with strongly enhanced aldolase activity in the self‐condensation of linear aliphatic aldehydes, such as acetaldehyde, propanal, and butanal, to yield α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. With both propanal and benzaldehyde, this double mutant, unlike the previously constructed single mutant F50A, mainly catalyzes the self‐condensation of propanal rather than the cross‐condensation of propanal and benzaldehyde, thus indicating that it indeed has altered substrate specificity. This variant could serve as a template to create new biocatalysts that lack dehydration activity and possess further enhanced aldolase activity, thus enabling the efficient enzymatic self‐coupling of aliphatic aldehydes.     

Scalable and Selective β-Hydroxy-α-Amino Acid Synthesis Catalyzed by Promiscuous l-Threonine Transaldolase ObiH

Enzymes from secondary metabolic pathways possess broad potential for the selective synthesis of complex bioactive molecules. However, the practical application of these enzymes for organic synthesis is dependent on the development of efficient, economical, operationally simple, and well-characterized systems for preparative scale reactions. We sought to bridge this knowledge gap for the selective biocatalytic synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids, which are important synthetic building blocks. To achieve this goal, we demonstrated the ability of ObiH, an l -threonine transaldolase, to achieve selective milligram-scale synthesis of a diverse array of non-standard amino acids (nsAAs) using a scalable whole cell platform. We show how the initial selectivity of the catalyst is high and how the diastereomeric ratio of products decreases at high conversion due to product re-entry into the catalytic cycle. ObiH-catalyzed reactions with a variety of aromatic, aliphatic and heterocyclic aldehydes selectively generated a panel of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids possessing broad functional-group diversity. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ObiH-generated β-hydroxy-α-amino acids could be modified through additional transformations to access important motifs, such as β-chloro-α-amino acids and substituted α-keto acids.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Platinum(II)-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Vinyl Arenes with 1,2-Dimethylindole

The mechanism of the intermolecular hydroarylation of vinyl arenes ( 1 ) with 1,2-dimethylindole ( 2 ) catalyzed by PtCl₂ has been evaluated through a combination of kinetic analysis, deuterium labeling studies, and stereochemical analysis. The results of these and additional experiments are consistent with a mechanism for hydroarylation involving rapid and reversible complexation of vinyl arene to the catalytically inactive platinum mono(vinyl arene)complex trans-PtCl₂(H₂C=CHAr)(solvent) to form the reactive platinum bis(vinyl arene) complex trans-PtCl₂(H₂C=CHAr)₂, which undergoes turnover-limiting, outer-sphere attack of indole. Rapid protodemetallation of the resulting platinum alkyl complex releases product and regenerates the equilibrating mixture of platinum π-vinyl arene complexes.     

Shuttling Catalyst: Facilitating C−C Bond Formation via Cross-Couplings with a Thermoresponsive Polymeric Ligand

A poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) linked ortho-MeO-phenyldicyclohexylphosphine (MeO-WePhos) ligand has been synthesized to promote Pd-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation by cross-couplings including Sonogashira, Heck, Hiyama and Stille reactions, providing corresponding (hetero)aryl substituted alkynes, alkenes and bi(hetero)aryls in good to excellent isolated yields with low Pd loadings. Facilitated by the lower critical solution temperature behaviour of the polymeric monophosphine ligand, the metal-complex could rapidly shuttle between organic and water phases as regulated by temperature, enabling highly efficient catalyst recycling via a simple phase separation. The chemical structure of ligand was determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and size-exclusion chromatography measurements. Notably, as demonstrated by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry measurement, 98% Pd was kept in the water phase after 6 cycles of catalyst recycling experiments. Given the profound impact of transition-metal-catalyzed covalent bond formation and the increasing demand of sustainable chemistry, this work provides an alternative method to conduct cross-couplings with a polymeric shuttling catalyst.     

Vinylogous Mannich‐Type Reaction Catalyzed by an Iodine‐Substituted Chiral Phosphoric Acid

2‐Trimethylsiloxyfuran underwent a vinylogous Mannich‐type reaction with aldimines under the action of a new chiral phosphoric acid, bearing iodine on the 6,6′‐positions of the binaphthyl group, as a chiral Brønsted acid to give γ‐butenolide derivatives bearing an amino functionality with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity.     

Asymmetric Cyanoethoxycarbonylation of Aldehydes Catalyzed by Heterobimetallic Aluminum Lithium Bis(binaphthoxide) and Cinchonine

Highly efficient catalytic asymmetric cyanoethoxycarbonylation of aldehydes was achieved by 10 mol % cinchonine with 10 mol % heterometallic (S)‐aluminum lithium bis(binaphthoxide), which gave the cyanohydrins ethyl carbonates in excellent isolated yields (up to 99 %) with moderate to high enantioselectivities (up to 95 % ee) under mild conditions (at −20 °C). Especially, the solid aluminum lithium bis(binaphthoxide) free of tetrahydrofuran was obtained by a new procedure using (S)‐bi(2‐naphthol), aluminum isopropoxide and n‐butyllithium in dichloromethane, which was insensitive to air and moisture and was very convenient to store and use. A catalytic cycle based on experimental phenomena was proposed to explain the nature of the asymmetric induction.     

Ruthenium Catalysts for Controlled Mono‐ and Bis‐Allylation of Active Methylene Compounds with Aliphatic Allylic Substrates

The allylation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds and malononitrile with aliphatic allylic substrates is achieved under mild conditions in the presence of new ruthenium catalysts. The ruthenium complex [Ru(C₅Me₅)(2‐quinolinecarboxylato)(CH₂CHCH‐n‐Pr)] [BF₄] as a precatalyst, allows the synthesis of mono‐allylated branched derivatives. On the other hand, the parent complex [Ru(C₅Me₅)(MeCN)₃] [PF₆] as a precatalyst, straightforwardly favours the bis‐allylation of the procarbonucleophiles leading to bis‐allylated bis‐linear products. The involvement of the two precatalysts provides a sequential synthesis of unsymmetrical mixed linear‐branched bis‐allylated derivatives.     

Organocatalytic,Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to Nitroolefins

An organocatalytic, enantioselective conjugate addition reaction of nitroalkanes with nitroolefins has been developed under neat conditions without using an organic solvent. The process, catalyzed by a modified Cinchona alkaloid, affords synthetically useful 1,3‐dinitro compounds in good yields (70–82 %) with good degrees of enantioselectivity (67–88 % ee).     

Activated α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes as Substrate of Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate (DHAP)‐Dependent Aldolases in the Context of a Multienzyme System

The utility for carbon‐carbon bond formation of a multienzyme system composed of recombinant dihydroxyacetone kinase (DHAK) from Citrobacter freundii, the fructose bisphosphate aldolase from rabbit muscle (RAMA) and acetate kinase (AK) for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regeneration has been studied. Several aldehydes with great structural diversity, including three α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, have been analysed as acceptor substrates. It was found that α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes bearing an electron‐withdrawing group in the β position to the double bond with a trans configuration are good acceptors for RAMA in this multienzyme system. The aldol reaction proceeds with excellent D ‐threo enantioselectivity and the aldol adduct is obtained in good overall yield. The L ‐threo and D ‐erythro enantiomers are also accessible from rhamnulose 1‐phosphate aldolase (Rha‐1PA) and fuculose 1‐phosphate aldolase (Fuc‐1PA) catalysed reactions, respectively.     

Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition of Cyclobutanones to Nitroalkenes

Synthetic applications of cyclobutanones other than ring expansion and fragmentation reactions are rare. Herein, highly efficient diastereo‐ and enantioselective organocatalytic Michael additions of 2‐substituted cyclobutanone derivatives to nitroalkenes are reported allowing the stereocontrolled creation of ‘all‐carbon’ quaternary centers. The approach relies on both the use of Brønsted base/hydrogen‐bond donor bifunctional organocatalysts, and importantly, the specific stabilization and activation of cyclobutanone with a secondary amide moiety. The reaction was found to nicely accommodate a broad scope of substrates, allowing the control of up to three contiguous stereogenic centers. This work has opened new synthetic opportunities.     

L‐Prolinethioamides – Efficient Organocatalysts for the Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction

A series of novel L ‐proline derived thioamides has been synthesised. They have been evaluated as organocatalysts in the direct asymmetric aldol reaction for the first time. Thioamides exhibit catalytic ability higher than proline itself and the model aldol reaction of 4‐cyanobenzaldehyde with acetone proceeds well in the presence of 5 mol % of catalyst (ee up to 100%). Other aromatic aldehydes gave aldol products with high ees and moderate yields. Small changes in the catalyst's structure [e.g., N‐Bn versus N‐CH(CH₃)Ph] as well as the addition of an acid have a profound effect on their activity. The unexpected formation of the catalyst‐derived cyclic adducts was observed and their reactivity was established giving valuable insight into the course of the reaction.     

Allylation of Carbon Pronucleophiles with Alkynes in the Presence of Palladium/Acetic Acid Catalyst

We have developed an efficient and eco‐chemical process for the allylation of carbon pronucleophiles with alkynes. The reaction of alkynes with various active methynes and methylenes in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄/acetic acid gave the corresponding allylated products in high yields and high regioselectivities. In the present catalytic system, the key is the use of carboxylic acid which dramatically enhances the rate of the reactions. One of the important features of this process is that neither a leaving group is liberated nor is a stoichiometric amount of base needed to generate the nucleophiles.     

Organocatalytic Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Malonic Acid Half Thioesters to Coumarin‐3‐carboxylic Acids Using N‐Heteroarenesulfonyl Cinchona Alkaloid Amides

We disclose herein an efficient enantioselective conjugate addition reaction between coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids and malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs). The reaction was catalyzed by N‐heteroarenesulfonyl Cinchona alkaloid amides to afford double‐decarboxylative conjugate addition products in good yield with high enantioselectivity. The reaction of various coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids with MAHTs gave products in high yield with high enantioselectivity.

     

Highly Enantioselective Copper‐Phosphoramidite‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of Dialkylzinc Reagents to Acyclic α,β‐Unsaturated Imides

A new and practical way to introduce an alkyl fragment in the β‐position of aliphatic carboxylic acid derivatives with high enantioselectivities by the use of a commercially available chiral ligand is reported. N‐Acylpyrrolidinones, as simple derivatives of an α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acid, were found to be the substrates of choice featuring good reactivity and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee).     

sp3‐sp2 C‐C Bond Formation via Brønsted Acid Trifluoromethanesulfonic Acid‐Catalyzed Direct Coupling Reaction of Alcohols and Alkenes

A novel and efficient trifluoromethanesulfonic acid‐catalyzed sp³‐sp² C C bond formation reaction through the direct coupling of alcohols with alkenes has been realized under mild conditions. The present protocol provides an attractive approach to a diverse range of polysubstituted olefins in good to excellent yields with high stereo‐ and regioselectivities.     

Multi‐Enzymatic Biosynthesis of Chiral β‐Hydroxy Nitriles through Co‐Expression of Oxidoreductase and Halohydrin Dehalogenase

To establish a system for the efficient one bacterial multi‐enzymatic biosynthesis of both (R)‐ and (S)‐β‐hydroxy nitriles, we co‐expressed alcohol dehydrogenases with opposite stereoselectivities, cofactor regeneration enzymes, and a halohydrin dehalogenase in Escherichia coli. By researching cofactor recycling and various co‐expression strategies and by selecting and engineering the halohydrin dehalogenase, we engineered two E. coli strains, which were subsequently used in a cascade of reactions to produce chiral β‐hydroxy nitriles with high enantiomeric excess directly from prochiral α‐halo ketones. Three valuable pharmaceutical intermediates were prepared by means of this catalytic system, and substrate conversion reached about >99%. More importantly, the system is of low cost because there is no need for expensive cofactors or for expression and purification of the component enzymes.