A one-pot two-step synthesis of tertiary alcohols combining the biocatalytic laccase/TEMPO oxidation system with organolithium reagents in aerobic aqueous media at room temperature

The one-pot/two-step combination of enzymes and polar organometallic chemistry in aqueous media is for the first time presented as a proof-of-concept study. The unprecedented combination of the catalytic oxidation of secondary alcohols by the system laccase/TEMPO with the ultrafast addition (3 s reaction time) of polar organometallic reagents (RLi/RMgX) to the in situ formed ketones, run under air at room temperature, allows the straightforward and chemoselective synthesis of tertiary alcohols with broad substrate scope and excellent conversions (up to 96%).

Automated summary

The combination of enzymes and polar organometallic chemistry in aqueous media allows for the straightforward and chemoselective synthesis of tertiary alcohols with broad substrate scope and excellent conversions, demonstrating the efficiency and potential applications of this novel approach.