Biocatalytic Enantio-Convergent Preparation ofsec-Alcohols using Sulfatases

De-racemization of enantiomers versus de-epimerization of diastereomers--classification of dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT)

The isolation of single stereoisomers from a racemic (or diastereomeric) mixture by enzymatic or chemical resolution techniques goes in hand with the disposal of 50% (racemate) or more (diastereomeric mixtures) of the "undesired" substrate isomer(s). In order to circumvent this drawback, dynamic systems have been developed for the de-racemization of enantiomers and the de-epimerizations of diastereomers. Key strategies within this area are discussed and are classified according to their underlying kinetics, that is, dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR), dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT), and hybrids between both of them. Finally, two novel types of DYKAT are defined.

New enzymes for biotransformations: microbial alkyl sulfatases displaying stereo- and enantioselectivity

The majority of hydrolytic enzymes used in white biotechnology for the production of non-natural compounds--such as carboxyl ester hydrolases, lipases and proteases--show a certain preference for a given enantiomer. However, they are unable to alter the stereochemistry of the substrate during catalysis with respect to inversion or retention of configuration. The latter can be achieved by (alkyl) sulfatases, which can be employed for the enantio-convergent transformation of racemic sulfate esters into a single stereoisomeric secondary alcohol, with a theoretical yield of 100%. This is a major improvement over traditional kinetic resolution processes, which yield both enantiomers, each at 50%.

Biocatalytic approaches for the quantitative production of single stereoisomers from racemates

Strategies for the chemoenzymatic transformation of a racemate into a single stereoisomeric product in quantitative yield have been developed. A range of industrially relevant α-hydroxycarboxylic acids was deracemized in a stepwise fashion via lipase-catalysed enantioselective O-acylation, followed by mandelate racemase-catalysed racemization of the remaining non-reacted substrate enantiomer. Alternatively, aliphatic α-hydroxycarboxylic acids were enzymatically isomerized using whole resting cells of Lactobacillus spp. Enantioselective hydrolysis of rac-sec-alkyl sulphate esters was accomplished using novel alkyl sulphatases of microbial origin. The stereochemical path of catalysis could be controlled by choice of the biocatalyst. Whereas Rhodococcus ruber DSM 44541 and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius DSM 639 act through inversion of configuration, stereo-complementary retaining sulphatase activity was detected in the marine planctomycete Rhodopirellula baltica DSM 10527.

Highly enantioselective stereo-inverting sec-alkylsulfatase activity of hyperthermophilic Archaea

rac-sec-Alkyl sulfate esters 1a-8a were resolved in low to excellent enantioselectivities with E-values up to >200 using whole cells of aerobically-grown hyperthermophilic sulfur-metabolizers, such as Sulfolobus solfataricus DSM 1617, Sulfolobus shibatae DSM 5389 and, most notably, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius DSM 639. Significantly enhanced selectivities were obtained using cells grown on sucrose-enriched Brock-medium. The stereochemical course of this biohydrolysis was shown to proceed with strict inversion of configuration, thus the preferred (R)-enantiomers were converted into the corresponding (S)-sec-alcohols to furnish a homochiral product mixture.