P450 BM3‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Stereoselective Hydroxylation Aiming at the Synthesis of Phthalides and Isocoumarins

Cytochrome P450 BM3 monooxygenases are able to catalyze the regio‐ and stereoselective oxygenation of a broad range of substrates, with promising potential for synthetic applications. To study the suitability of P450 BM3 variants for stereoselective benzylic hydroxylation of 2‐alkylated benzoic acid esters, the biotransformation of methyl 2‐ethylbenzoate, resulting in both enantiomeric forms of 3‐methylphthalide, was investigated. In the case of methyl 2‐propylbenzoate as a substrate the regioselectivity of the reaction was shifted towards β‐hydroxylation, resulting in the synthesis of enantioenriched R‐ and S‐configured 3‐methylisochroman‐1‐one. The potential of P450 BM3 variants for regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of phthalides and isocoumarins offers a new route to a class of compounds that are valuable synthons for a variety of natural compounds.