Manipulating Activity and Chemoselectivity of a Benzaldehyde Lyase for Efficient Synthesis of α-Hydroxymethyl Ketones and One-Pot Enantio-Complementary Conversion to 1,2-Diols
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The α-hydroxymethyl ketone motif has been widely found in many pharmaceutically important molecules and used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of various fine chemicals and natural products. Hydroxymethylation of aldehydes with formaldehyde catalyzed by thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzymes is considered a highly valuable approach in terms of atom economics and sustainability, while low activity and chemoselectivity restricted its widespread application. In this study, a benzaldehyde lyase (BAL) with high activity and catalytic efficiency was acquired by enzyme screening and engineering, which catalyzed the hydroxymethylation of furfural at the concentration of 700 mM. Crystal structural analysis and molecular dynamics studies revealed that the activity and chemoselectivity of BAL were improved by reshaping the conformation of the substrate entrance tunnel. Furthermore, a one-pot concurrent enzymatic process involving BAL-catalyzed hydroxymethylation of aldehydes and subsequent asymmetric reduction with carbonyl reductase was developed, offering a highly efficient way to produce chiral 1,2-diols from simple aldehydes, with high ee values (97–99%) in good yields (52–97%). The significantly improved activity and chemoselectivity demonstrated the potential of the engineered BAL in the industrial production of α-hydroxymethyl ketones, which could readily enable the synthesis of other high-value-added chemicals from simple aldehydes and formaldehyde.
α-羟甲基酮基团广泛存在于许多重要的医药分子中,并被用作合成各种精细化学品和天然产品的关键中间体。在依赖二磷酸硫胺(ThDP)的酶催化下,醛与甲醛的羟甲基化被认为是一种在原子经济性和可持续性方面极具价值的方法,但低活性和化学选择性限制了其广泛应用。本研究通过酶筛选和工程设计获得了一种具有高活性和催化效率的苯甲醛裂解酶(BAL),它能在 700 mM 的浓度下催化糠醛的羟甲基化反应。晶体结构分析和分子动力学研究表明,通过重塑底物入口通道的构象,提高了 BAL 的活性和化学选择性。此外,还开发出了一种一锅同时酶解过程,包括 BAL 催化的醛羟甲基化和随后的羰基还原酶不对称还原,为从简单的醛生成手性 1,2 二醇提供了一种高效的方法,ee 值高(97-99%),产率好(52-97%)。活性和化学选择性的大幅提高证明了工程化 BAL 在工业化生产 α- 羟甲基酮方面的潜力,而这一潜力很容易使简单醛和甲醛合成其他高附加值化学品成为可能。
期刊介绍:
ACS Catalysis is an esteemed journal that publishes original research in the fields of heterogeneous catalysis, molecular catalysis, and biocatalysis. It offers broad coverage across diverse areas such as life sciences, organometallics and synthesis, photochemistry and electrochemistry, drug discovery and synthesis, materials science, environmental protection, polymer discovery and synthesis, and energy and fuels.
The scope of the journal is to showcase innovative work in various aspects of catalysis. This includes new reactions and novel synthetic approaches utilizing known catalysts, the discovery or modification of new catalysts, elucidation of catalytic mechanisms through cutting-edge investigations, practical enhancements of existing processes, as well as conceptual advances in the field. Contributions to ACS Catalysis can encompass both experimental and theoretical research focused on catalytic molecules, macromolecules, and materials that exhibit catalytic turnover.