Mechanoenzymatic reactions with whole cell transaminases: shaken, not stirred

Mechanochemical reactions have emerged in recent years as a green synthetic method because reactions can be performed more rapidly and using less solvent than traditional synthetic approaches. To date, very few mechanoenzymatic reactions have been described. For the first time, transaminases, which are widely used for the amination of aldehydes and ketones, have been used here under mechanoenzymatic conditions to produce amines using significantly less aqueous medium than conventional biocatalytic reactions. The direct use of whole cells was also possible and shorter reaction times could be used to provide amines efficiently with high yields and stereoselectivities.

Automated summary

Mechanochemical reactions have emerged as a green synthetic method due to their rapidity and lower solvent usage compared to traditional approaches. This study describes the first mechanoenzymatic reactions using transaminases for amination of aldehydes and ketones, resulting in the production of amines with significantly less aqueous medium. The use of whole cells and shorter reaction times also led to high yields and stereoselectivities.