Construction and optimization of a biocatalytic route for the synthesis of neomenthylamine from menthone

(+)-Neomenthylamine is an important industrial precursor used to synthesize high value-added chemicals. Here, we report a novel biocatalytic route to synthesize (+)-neomenthylamine by amination of readily available (-)-menthone substrate using omega-transaminase. By screening a panel of omega-transaminases, an omega-transaminase from Vibrio fluvialis JS17 was identified with considerable amination activity to (-)-menthone, and then characterization of enzymatic properties was conducted for the enzyme. Under optimized conditions, 10 mM (-)-menthone was transformed in a mild aqueous phase with 4.7 mM product yielded in 24 h. The biocatalytic route using inexpensive starting materials (ketone substrate and amino donor) and mild reaction conditions represents an easy and green approach for (+)-neomenthylamine synthesis. This method underscores the potential of biocatalysts in the synthesis of unnatural terpenoid amine derivatives. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

This study reports a novel biocatalytic route for synthesizing (+)-Neomenthylamine using ω-transaminase. By screening, an ω-transaminase from Vibrio fluvialis JS17 was found to have significant amination activity to (-)-menthone, and under optimized conditions, 10 mM (-)-menthone was transformed into 4.7 mM product in 24 hours. This biocatalytic route using inexpensive starting materials and mild reaction conditions provides an easy and green approach for the synthesis of (+)-Neomenthylamine and highlights the potential of biocatalysts in the synthesis of unnatural terpenoid amine derivatives.