Peroxygenase-Catalyzed Allylic Oxidation Unlocks Telescoped Synthesis of (1S,3R)-3-Hydroxycyclohexanecarbonitrile

The unmatched chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity of enzymes renders them powerful catalysts in the synthesis of chiral active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Inspired by the discovery route toward the LPA₁-antagonist BMS-986278, access to the API building block (1S,3R)-3-hydroxycyclohexanecarbonitrile was envisaged using an...

Alcohol Dehydrogenases as Catalysts in Organic Synthesis

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) have become important catalysts for stereoselective oxidation and reduction reactions of alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. The aim of this contribution is to provide the reader with a timely update on the state-of-the-art of ADH-catalysis. Mechanistic basics are presented together with practical information about the...

Towards Biocatalytic Oxidation of Secondary Alcohols to Carbonyl Products of Relevance for Flavors and Fragrances

Non-enantioselective alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are rarely found in the biocatalysis portfolio. Generally, highly enantioselective ADHs are sought for. Using such ADHs for the oxidation of racemic alcohols generally results in a kinetic resolution of the starting material, which is unfavourable if the ketone represents the product of interest...

Biocatalytic axidation of alcohols

Enzymatic methods for the oxidation of alcohols are critically reviewed. Dehydrogenases and oxidases are the most prominent biocatalysts, enabling the selective oxidation of primary alcohols into aldehydes or acids. In the case of secondary alcohols, region and/or enantioselective oxidation is possible. In this contribution, we outline the...

Synthetic biomimetic coenzymes and alcohol dehydrogenases for asymmetric catalysis

Redox reactions catalyzed by highly selective nicotinamide-dependent oxidoreductases are rising to prominence in industry. The cost of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide coenzymes has led to the use of well-established elaborate regeneration systems and more recently alternative synthetic biomimetic cofactors. These biomimetics are highly...

Horse Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase-Catalyzed Oxidative Lactamization of Amino Alcohols

A direct synthesis of lactams (5-, 6-, and 7-membered) starting from amino-alcohols in a bienzymatic cascade is reported. Horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase together with the NADH oxidase from Streptococcus mutans were applied for the oxidative lactamization of various amino alcohols. Crucial parameters for the efficiency of this cascade...

Stereoselective double reduction of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone by use of palladium and platinum nanoparticles in tandem with alcohol dehydrogenase

The combination of metal nanoparticles (Pd or Pt NPs) with NAD-dependent thermostable alcohol dehydrogenase (TADH) resulted in the one-flask catalytic double reduction of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone to 3-(1S,3S)-methylcyclohexanol. In this article some assumptions about the interactions between a chemocatalyst and a biocatalyst have been...

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide-Dependent Redox-Neutral Convergent Cascade for Lactonizations with Type II Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase

A nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)-dependent redox-neutral convergent cascade composed of a recently discovered type II flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO−E) and horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) has been established. Two model reaction cascades were analyzed for the synthesis of γ-butyrolactone and chiral bicyclic lactones....

Novel approaches for using dehydrogenases and ene-reductases for organic synthesis

Oxidation of alcohols is a reaction of major interest for organic chemistry. However, the most common chemical routes developed so far involve the use of toxic or hazardous reagents or catalysts that often lack good chemoselectivity. In this respect, alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) represent a very valuable biocatalytic alternative, as they can...

Michael hydratase alcohol dehydrogenase or just alcohol dehydrogenase?

The Michael hydratase – alcohol dehydrogenase (MhyADH) from Alicycliphilus denitrificans was previously identified as a bi-functional enzyme performing a hydration of ?,?-unsaturated ketones and subsequent oxidation of the formed alcohols. The investigations of the bi-functionality were based on a spectrophotometric assay and an activity...

Purification, characterization, and cloning of a bifunctional molybdoenzyme with hydratase and alcohol dehydrogenase activity

A bifunctional hydratase/alcohol dehydrogenase was isolated from the cyclohexanol degrading bacterium Alicycliphilus denitrificans DSMZ 14773. The enzyme catalyzes the addition of water to ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and the subsequent alcohol oxidation. The purified enzyme showed three subunits in SDS gel, and the gene sequence revealed...