Reaction conditions for the resolution of 2-methylalkanoic acids in esterification and hydrolysis with lipase from Candida cylindracea

Summary We have demonstrated resolution of 2-methylalkanoic acids using lipase from Candida cylindracea as a catalyst. The resolution of 2-methyldecanoic acid was more successful than that of 2-methylbutyric acid both by esterification and hydrolysis. This indicates that the resolution of the acid is dependent on the chain length of the acid moiety. The chain length of the alcohol moiety of the ester affected the resolution of the long-chain acid only. Using esterification, (R)-2-methyldecanoic acid was produced in an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of 95% (E = 40). If the enantiomeric ratio is low (E = 3.6), as in the resolution of 2-methylbutyric acid, esterification combined with a high equilibrium conversion could be used to yield the remaining acid in a high e.e. In the hydrolytic reactions, the e.e and the equilibrium conversion were dependent on the pH and the presence of CaCl₂. When octyl 2-methyldecanoate was hydrolysed at pH 8.0 in the presence of CaCl₂, the (S)-acid was formed with an e.e. of 80% (E = 9), but when the hydrolysis was carried out at pH 7.5 without CaCl₂, a very low e.e. and a low equilibrium conversion were observed. The latter conditions allowed the esterification of 2-methyldecanoic acid with 1-octanol even in aqueous medium. Offprint requests to: K. Hult     

CALB-catalyzed kinetic resolution of (RS)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropyl azolides: kinetic and thermodynamic analysis

Abstract

Zofenopril as an ACE inhibitor expired recently was found to have a favourable safety profile in comparison with other ACE inhibitors in treating high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and acute myocardial infarction. It can be synthesised from the key building blocks of (S)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropanoic acid and (4S)-phenylthio-L-proline. In this report, an efficient hydrolytic resolution via Candida antarctic lipase B (CALB) for preparing the former block in isopropyl ether (IPE) containing (RS)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropyl pyrazolide (1) and water was developed. Quantitative improvements of the enzyme activity and enantioselectivity in terms of k_2SK_mS^?1?=?5.726?L h^?1 g^?1 and E?=?217 at 45?°C were found from the kinetic analysis. Insights into the CALB performance via thermodynamic analysis were then addressed and compared with those by using (RS)-3-benzoylthio-2-methylpropyl 1,2,4-triazolide (2) as the substrate. A putative thermodynamic model was moreover hypothesised for elucidating the more enthalpy reduction of 68.92-70.86?kJ mol^?1 from the acyl part of (S)-1 and (S)-2 as well as that of 23.69-25.63?kJ mol^?1 from the triad imidazolium to Ser105 and leaving 1,2,4-triazole moiety of (R)-2 and (S)-2 on stabilising the corresponding transition states.     

Desymmetrization of cyclic anhydrides mediated by cinchona alkaloids: Synthesis and olfactory properties of new fragrances based on (R)‐ and (S)‐2‐ethylhexanol

A series of enantiomerically pure new fragrances, derived from 2‐ethylhexanol, have been prepared and their olfactory properties evaluated. The key step of the synthesis is cinchona‐alkaloid‐catalyzed desymmetrization of cyclic meso‐anhydrides with (R)‐ and (S)‐2‐ethylhexanol and proceeded in good to excellent diastereoselectivities (92:8–98:2 dr). Enantiomerically pure alcohols were prepared by lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution of 2‐ethylhexanol using vinyl laurate as acyl donor. Chirality 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Genetic and physical mapping of the S<Subscript>H</Subscript>3 region that confers resistance to leaf rust in coffee tree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Coffea arabica</Emphasis> L.)

Resistance to coffee leaf rust is conferred by S_H3, a major dominant gene that has been introgressed from a wild coffee species Coffea liberica (genome L) into the allotetraploid cultivated species, Coffea arabica (genome C^aE^a). As the first step toward the map-based cloning of the S_H3 gene, using a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, we describe the construction of a physical map in C. arabica spanning the resistance locus. This physical map consists in two homeologous BAC-contigs of 1,170 and 1,208 kb corresponding to the subgenomes C^a and E^a, respectively. Genetic analysis was performed using a single nucleotide polymorphism detection assay based on Sanger sequencing of amplicons. The C. liberica-derived chromosome segment that carries the S_H3 resistance gene appeared to be introgressed on the sub-genome C^a. The position of the S_H3 locus was delimited within an interval of 550 kb on the physical map. In addition, our results indicated a sixfold reduction in recombination frequency in the introgressed S_H3 region compared to the orthologous region in Coffea canephora.     

A simple method to determine concentration of enantiomers in enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution

Kinetic resolutions play important roles in industrial biotransformations for production of optical pure compounds from racemic substrates. A simple method, based on enantiomeric excess of both substrate (ee _S) and the corresponding product (ee _P), was developed for determination of concentration of enantiomers in kinetic resolution. Since only relative quantity (ee) was required in the proposed method, calibration and cumbersome quantitative sample handling can be avoided and analytical accuracy can be greatly improved.     

Optimization of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol kinetic resolution over Candida antarctica lipase B in ionic liquids

The kinetic resolution of racemates constitutes one major route to manufacture optically pure compounds. The enzymatic kinetic resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol over Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) by using vinyl acetate as the acyl donor in the acylation reaction was chosen as model reaction. A systematic screening and optimization of the reaction parameters, such as enzyme, ionic liquid and substrates concentrations with respect to the final product concentration, were performed. The enantioselectivity of immobilized CALB commercial preparation, Novozym 435, was assayed in several ionic liquids as reaction media. In particular, three different ionic liquids: (i) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [bmim][PF₆], (ii) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [bmim][BF₄] and (iii) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium triflimide [emim][NTf₂] were tested. At 6.6% (w/w) of Novozym 435, dispersed in 9.520 M of [bmim][PF₆] at 313.15 K, using an equimolar ratio of vinyl acetate/(R,S)-1-phenylethanol after 3 h of bioconversion, the highest possible conversion (50%) was reached with enantiomeric excess for substrate higher than 99%.     

A chemo-enzymatic process for sequential kinetic resolution of (R,S)-2-octanol under microwave irradiation

A combination of the enzymatic resolution and chemical racemization for the heterogeneous sequential kinetic resolution (SKR) was employed to resolve (R,S)-2-octanol under microwave irradiation. Mesoporous molecular sieves SBA-15, alumina and strong basic styrene anion exchange resin were screened and selected as the optimum supports to immobilize the lipase from Pseudomonas sp. (PSL), oxidant-Chromium trioxide (CrO₃) and reductant-Sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), respectively. The immobilized catalysts exhibited good reusability: it remained 90%, 72% and 80% of their initial activities after five reuses for the immobilized lipase, the immobilized oxidant and the immobilized reductant, respectively. Further, the E values of the immobilized PSL was increased from 23 under conventional heating to 40 under microwave irradiation in resolution of (R,S)-2-octanol. The immobilized catalysts were then used in SKR of (R,S)-2-octanol under microwave irradiation after optimizing the reaction media. Under the optimum conditions, (R)-2-octanol acetate was obtained at 99% enantiomeric excess with 84% yield in 2 h.     

On the kinetics of the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of axial chiral alkyl allenecarboxylates: preparation of optically active R-(−)-2-ethyl-4-phenyl-2,3-hexadiene-carboxylic acid and its optically pure S-(+)-methylester

Pig liver esterase (PLE) was used for the preparation of optically active alkyl allenecarboxylates with axial chirality. Free and immobilized enzymes were used as biocatalysts for the kinetic resolution of racemic ester substrates. Whereas the biotransformations using the free biocatalyst resulted in moderately to high enantiomeric ratios, the immobilization significantly decreased the E-value. The reaction conditions were optimized with respect to the enantiomeric ratio and scaled up. The enantiomeric ratio (E-value) was thereby enhanced by a factor of four to E=60. Under optimized conditions (free enzyme, addition of acetone as a cosolvent and Triton X-100 as an emulgator) in a preparative scale biotransformation, 282 mg of optically pure S-(+)-2-ethyl-4-phenyl-2,3-hexadiene-carboxylic acid methylester (96% ee, 82% yield) and 257 mg of R-(−)-2-ethyl-4-phenyl-2,3-hexadiene-carboxylic acid (83% ee, 80% yield) could be synthesized from the racemic substrate.     

R-enantioselective hydrolysis of 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide by amidase from a newly isolated strain Brevibacterium epidermidis ZJB-07021

Aims: To isolate new micro-organisms with R-stereospecific amidase activity and to examine their potential as biocatalysts in enantioselective hydrolysis of 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxamide ( 1 ). Methods and Results: A novel R-stereospecific amidase-producing strain ZJB-07021 was isolated through a sophisticated colorimetric screening method. Based on morphology, physiological tests, Biolog system (GP2) and 16S rRNA sequence, the new isolate was identified as Brevibacterium epidermidis. After 70 min of bioconversion at 35°C, kinetic resolution of (R,S)- 1 by the amidase afforded (S)- 1 in 41·1% yield (>99% ee) and (R)- 2 in 49·9% yield (69·7% ee) with an average E-value of 23. The enantioselectivity was found to be temperature dependent and enhanced from 12·6 at 45°C to 65·9 at 14°C. Conclusions: A novel bacterial strain of B. epidermidis ZJB-07021 producing R-stereospecific amidase was isolated and characterized. The isolate exhibited high E values for kinetic resolution of racemic- 1 to (S)- 1 . Significance and Impact of the Study: To our knowledge, this was the first report on the species B. epidermidis that harboured R-stereospecific amidase. Strain ZJB-07021 could be further improved as a suitable biocatalyst for the stereoselective bioconversion of racemic- 1 after optimization of culture and biotransformation process.     

Kinetic study of DNA binding of cisplatin and of a bicycloalkyl-substituted (ethylenediamine)dichloroplatinum(II) complex

 Salmon sperm DNA platination has been conducted under strictly pseudo-first-order conditions with cisplatin (1) and rac-{(1S,2S,4S)-exo-2-(aminomethyl)-2-amino-7-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane}dichloroplatinum(II) (2). An aquation step first occurs for both complexes, with the rate constants k ₁ = 1.12(0.02)×10^–4 s^–1 and 1.47(0.02)×10^–4 s^–1 respectively for 1 and 2 at 37  °C, values in agreement with those previously reported. It is followed by the actual platination step whose second-order rate constant has been determined for the first time by physicochemical techniques. The values for 1 and 2 respectively are: k ₂ = 2.08(0.07) M^–1 s^–1 and 3.9(0.4) M^–1 s^–1. These kinetic data are discussed in the context of a comparison of several biological properties of the two complexes. Received: 15 May 1998 / Accepted: 26 June 1998     

Stereoselective distribution of acenocoumarol enantiomers in human plasma: Chiral chromatographic analysis of the ultrafiltrates

Stereoselectivities for the binding of rac-acenocoumarol to human serum albumin (HSA), α₁-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and human plasma were determined by chiral HPLC analysis of the ultrafiltrates on a Chiral-AGP column. The results confirmed the previously detected inverse stereoselectivities; for HSA the ratio of the enantiomeric constants was K^R/K^S ～ 2, while for AGP it was K^R/K^S ～ 0.3. In plasma the contribution of HSA dominates, although in pathological states, elevated AGP levels may compensate for stereoselective distribution. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Identification and characterization of a thermostable and cobalt-dependent amidase from Burkholderia phytofirmans ZJB-15079 for efficient synthesis of (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid

Enantiomerically pure 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acids are important chiral building blocks for a series of pharmaceuticals. Here, a bacteria strain with 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide-degrading ability was screened and identified as Burkholderia phytofirmans ZJB-15079, from which a novel amidase (Bp-Ami) was cloned and demonstrated to be capable of kinetic resolution of rac-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide to optically pure (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Bp-Ami was closely located to the acetamidase/formamidase (FmdA_AmdA) family, and it shared high homology with acetamidases. Bp-Ami was found to be the first cobalt-dependent FmdA_AmdA family amidase. The enzyme activity was significantly increased by 37.7-fold in the presence of 1 mM Co²⁺, with a specific activity of 753.5 U/mg, K _m value of 24.73 mM, and k _cat /K _m value of 22.47 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹. As an enzyme from mesophile, Bp-Ami exhibited extreme thermostability with a half-life of 47.93 h at 80 °C, which was even superior to other reported amidases from thermophiles. The whole cell catalysis of 200 g/L 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide by Escherichia coli harboring Bp-Ami (5 g/L) resulted in 44 % yield and an enantiomeric excess (ee _p) of 95 % within 10 min (E = 86). The high substrate tolerance, high specific activity, and extreme thermostability demonstrated the great potential of Bp-Ami for efficient biocatalytic synthesis of (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid.

     

Temperature as an enantioselective parameter in enzymatic resolutions of racemic mixtures

Summary In the field of enhancement of the enantiomeric excess, the effect of temperature on the enantiomeric ratio, E, was investigated in lipase catalysed hydrolysis and transesterification. It was found that the equation (E₁)^T1=(E₂)^T2 correlated well with the experimental data obtained.     

Resolution,determination of enantiomeric purity and chiral recognition mechanism of new xanthone derivatives on (S,S)‐whelk‐O1 stationary phase

The enantioresolution and determination of the enantiomeric purity of 32 new xanthone derivatives, synthesized in enantiomerically pure form, were investigated on (S ,S )‐Whelk‐O1 chiral stationary phase (CSP). Enantioselectivity and resolution (α and R_S) with values ranging from 1.41–6.25 and from 1.29–17.20, respectively, were achieved. The elution was in polar organic mode with acetonitrile/methanol (50:50 v/v ) as mobile phase and, generally, the (R )‐enantiomer was the first to elute. The enantiomeric excess (ee ) for all synthesized xanthone derivatives was higher than 99%. All the enantiomeric pairs were enantioseparated, even those without an aromatic moiety linked to the stereogenic center. Computational studies for molecular docking were carried out to perform a qualitative analysis of the enantioresolution and to explore the chiral recognition mechanisms. The in silico results were consistent with the chromatographic parameters and elution orders. The interactions between the CSP and the xanthone derivatives involved in the chromatographic enantioseparation were elucidated.     

Scale-up of the enantioselective reaction for the enzymatic resolution of (R,S)-ibuprofen

The reaction for the resolution of (R,S)-ibuprofen was scaled-up to yield gram quantities of (S)-ibuprofen. This was accomplished through two enantioselective reactions each catalysed by Novozym 435. In the first reaction, starting from 300 g of racemic ibuprofen, 88.9 g of enantioenriched (S)-ibuprofen with an enantiomeric excess of the order of 85% were produced. In the subsequent reaction, 75 g of the 85 % e.e. material were utilized to produce 38.4 g of (S)-ibuprofen with an enantiomeric excess of 97.5 %.     

A study on the enzyme catalysed enantioselective hydrolysis of methyl 2-methyl-4-oxopentanoate,a precursor of chiral γ-butyrolactones

Porcine pancreas lipase (PPL) resolution of the α-methyl group of racemic methyl 2-methyl-4-oxopentanoate, a valuable synthetic precursor of fragrances and marine natural products, was enhanced by salt modulation of the enzymatic hydrolysis. For the enantioselective hydrolysis of the title ester, PPL was selected from a series of esterases and lipases, and its enantioselectivity was evaluated by changing the reaction medium parameters. The use of 1.6?mol L^–1 sodium sulfate in phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) improved the enantioselectivity allowing the formation of methyl (2R)-(+)-2-methyl-4-oxopentanoate and (2S)-(–)-2-methyl-4-oxopentanoic acid with an enantiomeric excess of >99% and 71%, respectively. The study showed that a modulation of PPL enantioselectivity could be achieved by using kosmotropic salts in the reaction media. The present method consists of a practical and low-cost option to improve enzymatic kinetic resolution reactions.     

Kinetic resolution of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropanoic acid esters catalyzed by lipase from Candida rugosa

Abstract

By screening around 30 commercially available lipases and esterases, two enzymes, C. rugosa lipase and P. fluorescens esterase, were found to posess catalytic activity and enantioselectivity (E?10) for the hydrolysis of 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropanoic acid (CTFPA) methyl and ethyl ester. Both enzymes were tentatively assigned to be (S)-selective based on the assumption that they have the same stereopreference as in the hydrolysis of methyl 2-chloropropanoate, which is a non-fluorinated analogue of CTFPA. The enzymes were applied in the kinetic resolution of CTFPA ethyl ester and 95% ee of the remaining ester could be achieved at 60% conversion. The crosslinked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) of C. rugosa lipase was found to catalyze enantioselective transesterification (E?40) of CTFPA methyl ester with ethanol. By conducting the transesterification in a 10-mL packed-bed reactor containing CLEA, it was possible to convert racemic CTFPA methyl ester into the mixture of (S)-methyl and (R)-ethyl esters with 82% and 90% ee, respectively, at 4.0 g/L^-1/h^-1 space-time yield, which decreased to 1.0 g/L^-1/h^-1 after four repetitive batches.     

Improving performance of Yarrowia lipolytica lipase lip2-catalyzed kinetic resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol by solvent engineering

Extracellular Yarrowia lipolytica lipase Lip2 (YLIP2) demonstrated an (R)-enantiopreference for efficient resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol by solvent engineering with different kinds of binary solvent. The enantioselectivity was significantly improved by the addition of 1, 4-dioxane. The reaction parameters including co-solvent concentration, reaction temperature, and the reaction time were optimized. When the reaction was carried out with n-hexane in the presence of 0.8% 1,4-dioxane at 50°C for 72 h, the enantiomeric excess of product markedly increased to 99.1% from 66% in pure n-hexane; the enantiomeric ratio was higher than 200, which was 500-fold compared with that in pure n-hexane. The results indicated that it is very important to design the proper co-solvents, especially to create appropriate micro-environment for YLIP2 for catalyzing the resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol.     

Kinetics of the renaturation of yeast tRNA3 leu.

Yeast tRNA₃^Leu is one of several tRNA molecules which can adopt a stable, biologically inactive, denatured conformation. The circular dichroism of the native and denatured conformers differs, providing the basis for the present study of the mechanism for the renaturation process. Conversion of the denatured structure to the native takes place in two steps: a rapid change occurring immediately on addition of Mg⁺⁺, followed by a slower, strongly temperature-dependent step which returns the molecule to its biologically active state. Optimal kinetic data for the second step could be obtained at 285 nm. Analysis of the time dependence of Δε₂₈₅ by the Guggenheim method demonstrated that this step follows first-order kinetics. The temperature dependence of the rate constants over the range 32–41°C yielded the following parameters for the rate-limiting step: E_a = 69 kcal/mole, ΔH^? = 69 kcal/mole, and ΔS^? = 146 cal/mole deg. Values of this magnitude are typical of order—order transitions in nucleic acids.     

Improved production of erythromycin A by expression of a heterologous gene encoding S-adenosylmethionine synthetase

An S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAM-s) gene from Streptomyces spectabilis was integrated along with vector DNA into the chromosome of a Saccharopolyspora erythraea E2. Elevated production of SAM was observed in the recombinant strain Saccharopolyspora erythraea E1. The results from the bioassay showed that the titer of erythromycin was increased from 920 IU ml⁻¹ by E₂ to approximately 2,000 IU ml⁻¹ by E₁. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that there was a 132% increase in erythromycin A compared with the original strain, while the erythromycin B, the main impurity component in erythromycin, was decreased by 30%. The sporulation process was inhibited, while the SAM-s gene was expressed. The addition of the exogenous SAM also inhibited sporulation and promoted an increase in erythromycin titers. An erratum to this article can be found at