351-03-1

Imine reductases (IREDs) have emerged as promising enzymes for the asymmetric synthesis of secondary and tertiary amines starting from carbonyl substrates. Screening the substrate specificity of the reductive amination reaction is usually performed by time-consuming GC analytics. We found two highly active IREDs in our enzyme collection, IR-20 from Streptomyces tsukubaensis and IR-Sip from Streptomyces ipomoeae, that allowed a comprehensive substrate screening with a photometric NADPH assay. We screened 39 carbonyl substrates combined with 17 amines as nucleophiles. Activity data from 663 combinations provided a clear picture about substrate specificity and capabilities in the reductive amination of these enzymes. Besides aliphatic aldehydes, the IREDs accepted various cyclic (C4–C8) and acyclic ketones, preferentially with methylamine. IR-Sip also accepted a range of primary and secondary amines as nucleophiles. In biocatalytic reactions, IR-Sip converted (R)-3-methylcyclohexanone with dimethylamine or pyrrolidine with high diastereoselectivity (>94–96 % de). The nucleophile acceptor spectrum depended on the carbonyl substrate employed. The conversion of well-accepted substrates could also be detected if crude lysates were employed as the enzyme source.

Chiral secondary and tertiary amines are ubiquitous in pharmaceutical, fine, and specialty chemicals, but their synthesis typically suffers from significant sustainability and selectivity challenges. Biocatalytic alternatives, such as enzyme-catalyzed reductive amination, offer several advantages over traditional chemistry, but industrial applicability has not yet been demonstrated. Herein, we report the use of cell lysates expressing imine reductases operating at 1:1 stoichiometry for a variety of amines and carbonyls. A collection of biocatalysts with diversity in coverage of small molecules and direct industrial applicability is presented.

1-((1R,2R)-2-Hydroxy-1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)-1-methyl-3-(4-phenoxyphenyl)urea (1) was identified as a hit from the screening of the neuropeptide Y5 (NPY5) receptor. This lead was optimized for in vitro potency by changing the stereochemistry, the phenylethyl segment, the urea portion, and the 4-phenoxyphenyl group on the molecule. Over 40 analogues of 1 were prepared to study the structure-activity relationship for this series. The most potent compounds in this class have IC50S less than 0.1 nM at the NPY5 receptor (e.g., 40f, 44a, and 47). To determine the functional activity for this series of compounds, selected analogues were tested in a cellular assay measuring forskolin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation in 293 cells transfected with the human NPY5 receptor. All urea analogues tested in the functional assay acted as antagonists (e.g., 1, 32, 40a, and 44e).

The invention relates to the new N-[2-/4-fluorophenyl/-1-methyl]-ethyl-N-methyl-N-propynyl amine of the Formula I STR1 and isomers and salts thereof. The compound of the formula I is useful as a selective MAO inhibitor.