Remote C-H Hydroxylation by an α-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase Enables Efficient Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Manzacidin C and Proline Analogs

Selective C-H functionalization at distal positions remains a highly challenging problem in organic synthesis. Though Nature has evolved a myriad of enzymes capable of such feat, their synthetic utility has largely been overlooked. Here, we functionally characterize an alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (Fe/alpha KG) that selectively hydroxylates the delta position of various aliphatic amino acids. Kinetic analysis and substrate profiling of the enzyme show superior catalytic efficiency and substrate promiscuity relative to other Fe/alpha KGs that catalyze similar reactions. We demonstrate the practical utility of this transformation in the concise syntheses of a rare alkaloid, manzacidin C, and densely substituted amino acid derivatives with remarkable step efficiency. This work provides a blueprint for future applications of Fe/alpha KG hydroxylation in complex molecule synthesis and the development of powerful synthetic paradigms centered on enzymatic C-H functionalization logic.