Three-Component Stereoselective Enzymatic Synthesis of Amino-Diols and Amino-Polyols

Amino-polyols represent attractive chemical building blocks but can be challenging to synthesize because of the high density of asymmetric functionalities and the need for extensive protecting-group strategies. Here we present a three-component strategy for the stereoselective enzymatic synthesis of amino-diols and amino-polyols using a diverse set of prochiral aldehydes, hydroxy ketones, and amines as starting materials. We were able to combine biocatalytic aldol reactions, using variants of n-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase (FSA), with reductive aminations catalyzed by IRED-259, identified from a metagenomic library. A two-step process, without the need for intermediate isolation, was developed to avoid cross-reactivity of the carbonyl components. Stereoselective formation of the 2R,3R,4R enantiomers of amino-polyols was observed and confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Automated summary

This study presents a three-component strategy for the stereoselective enzymatic synthesis of amino-diols and amino-polyols. Through biocatalytic aldol reactions and reductive aminations, stereoselective formation of amino-polyols was achieved without the need for intermediates isolation.