Aqueous chemoenzymatic one-pot enantioselective synthesis of tertiary α-aryl cycloketones via Pd-catalyzed C-C formation and enzymatic C=C asymmetric hydrogenation

An aqueous chemoenzymatic cascade reaction combining Pd-catalyzed C-C formation and enzymatic C = C asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) was developed for enantioselective synthesis of tertiary alpha-aryl cycloketones in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities. The stereopreference of the enzyme in AH of alpha-aryl cyclohexenones was studied. An enantiocomplementary enzyme was obtained by site-directed mutation.

Automated summary

An aqueous chemoenzymatic cascade reaction was developed for enantioselective synthesis of tertiary alpha-aryl cycloketones, combining Pd-catalyzed C-C formation with enzymatic C=C asymmetric hydrogenation. The enzyme's stereopreference in AH of alpha-aryl cyclohexenones was studied, and an enantiocomplementary enzyme was obtained through site-directed mutation.