Enzymatic kinetic resolution of aliphatic sec-alcohols by LipG9, a metagenomic lipase

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.molcatb.2015.12.010

Bioprospection for new enantioselective enzymes for application in organic synthesis is a prominent area of investigation in biocatalysis. In this context, here we present the evaluation of an immobilized lipase isolated from a metagenomic library (LipG9) for the enzymatic kinetic resolution (EKR) of aliphatic sec-alcohols, which are still challenging substrates, since low enantioselectivity values are usually observed for these resolutions. LipG9 was successfully employed in EKR of aliphatic alcohols, which were resolved with satisfactory conversions (19-59%) and enantiomeric excesses for alcohols (26-88%) and esters (30-96%) by transesterification reactions, demonstrating that its performance is equal to or better than commercially available enzymes for the same reaction.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.molcatb.2015.12.010

Accepted Manuscript
Title: Enzymatic kinetic resolution of aliphatic sec-alcohols by
LipG9, a metagenomic lipase
Author: Pamela T. Bandeira Robson C. Alnoch Alfredo R.M.
de Oliveira Emanuel M.de de Souza F a´ bio de O. Pedrosa
Nadia Krieger Leandro Piovan
PII:
S1381-1177(15)30130-2
DOI:
Reference:
http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.molcatb.2015.12.010
MOLCAB 3300
To appear in:
Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic
Received date:
Revised date:
Accepted date:
12-11-2015
19-12-2015
24-12-2015
Please cite this article as: Pamela T.Bandeira, Robson C.Alnoch, Alfredo
R.M.de Oliveira, Emanuel M.de de Souza, F a´ bio de O.Pedrosa, Nadia Krieger,
Leandro Piovan, Enzymatic kinetic resolution of aliphatic sec-alcohols by
LipG9, a metagenomic lipase, Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.molcatb.2015.12.010
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Enzymatic kinetic resolution of aliphatic sec-alcohols by LipG9, a
metagenomic lipase
a
b
a
b
Pamela T. Bandeira , Robson C. Alnoch , Alfredo R. M. de Oliveira , Emanuel M. de Souza ,
b
a,b
a
Fábio de O. Pedrosa , Nadia Krieger and Leandro Piovan *
a. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Química, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba 81.531-991, Brazil.
b. Universidade Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro Politécnico, Curitiba 81.531-980,
Brazil
Graphical abstract (was substituted by this)
Highlights
Metagenomics is a useful technique for finding new biocatalysts
LipG9 was successful employed in enzymatic kinetic resolution of aliphatic alcohols
LipG9 showed activity and selectivity comparable to commercially available enzymes
for the explored reactions
ABSTRACT
Bioprospection for new enantioselective enzymes for application in organic synthesis is a
prominent area of investigation in biocatalysis. In this context, here we present the evaluation
of an immobilized lipase isolated from a metagenomic library (LipG9) for the enzymatic kinetic
resolution (EKR) of aliphatic sec-alcohols, which are still challenging substrates, since low
enantioselectivity values are usually observed for these resolutions. LipG9 was successfully
employed in EKR of aliphatic alcohols, which were resolved with satisfactory conversions (19-
5
9%) and enantiomeric excesses for alcohols (26-88%) and esters (30-96%) by

transesterification reactions, demonstrating that its performance is equal to or better than
commercially available enzymes for the same reaction.
Keywords
Lipases, metagenomic, aliphatic alcohols, kinetic resolution
1
. Introduction
Biocatalysis focused on organic synthesis is already a well-established practice in
academy and industry [1-8]. For every synthetic transformation employing a conventional
organic method, it is possible to propose an enzymatic approach as an alternative. In a synthetic
route, the coupling between chemical and enzymatic (chemoenzymatic) processes is practicable
[
9,10]. The use of enzymes in organic synthesis implies using biodegradable catalysts that are
isolated from renewable sources (plants, animals and microorganisms), since these are
important properties for biotechnological applications. Among the enzymes that have been
successfully used in biocatalysis are the lipases (glycerol ester hydrolases EC 3.1.1.3), which, in
vivo can hydrolyze acyl esters in aqueous-lipid interfaces [11,12]. The great success of lipases in
organic synthesis has several reasons, including no requirement for coenzymes; applications for
a very broad range of synthetic substrates; and activity and stability in non-aqueous media such
as organic solvents [13], ionic liquids [14,15] and supercritical fluids [16]. Furthermore, lipases
usually exhibit high level of regio-, chemo- and enantioselectivity, making them valuable
reagents for preparation of optically active compounds [17-22].
Kinetic resolution of racemates is the most widely used lipase-mediated reaction for
preparation of optically active compounds [23]. Considering that the structural variability of
synthetic substrates is much higher than that of the available commercial enzymes,
bioprospection for new lipases has become a prominent area of investigation in biocatalysis.
The traditional methods to isolate lipases rely on laboratory cultivation of microorganisms. This
approach has a major limitation, given that only a small portion of such microorganisms (about
1
%, in terms of prokaryotic genomes) can be cultivated under artificial conditions [24-26].
Therefore, the great majority of microorganisms (and consequently their enzymes) remain
inaccessible and unknown. Besides this, many microorganisms can be harmful to health (e.g.,
pathogenic fungi and bacteria), so their manipulation requires special containment conditions.
In this context, a microorganism-independent culture technique that overcomes these
limitations is a metagenomic approach [27,28]. In recent years, several enzymes have been
isolated from metagenomic libraries, such as esterases [29-31], epoxy-hydrolases [32], celulases
[
[
33], proteases [34], nitrilases [35], beta-glucosidases [36], decarboxylases [37], oxirredutases
38], amidases e peptidases [39], deoxyribonucleases [40] and lipases [41-44]. Although several
lipases [41-44] have been isolated from metagenomic libraries, few reports describe their
application in organic synthesis focusing on the preparation of optically active compounds. To
the best of our knowledge, there are few enzymatic kinetic resolutions [49-52] and syntheses of
esters and biodiesel [42,49] mediated by metagenomic lipases.
In this paper, we report the evaluation of an immobilized metagenomic lipase, LipG9, in
EKR of aliphatic alcohols. LipG9 is a 55 kDa protein, which was isolated from a metagenomic
library constructed from a fat-contaminated sediment collected from a wastewater treatment
plant [42,48]. The immobilized form, Im-LipG9, is thermostable (up to 60 °C) and active in
-
1
different organic solvents, and showed maximum specific hydrolytic activity of 66 U mg of
protein employing triolein as substrate in n-heptane. A previous EKR assay [48] demonstrated

that LipG9 has excellent enantioselectivity (E > 200) in the transesterification reaction of 1-
phenylethanol and the hydrolysis of 1-phenylethyl acetate, proving to be a promising biocatalyst
for organic synthesis.
To increase the range of synthetic substrates, we evaluated Im-LipG9 in EKR of
aliphatic sec-alcohols, a versatile class of organic compounds useful as synthetic intermediates
in asymmetric synthesis for the preparation of anti-Alzheimer drugs [49], agrochemicals [50]
and liquid crystals [51]. In spite of their applicability in organic synthesis, the preparation of
enantioenriched aliphatic alcohols by biocatalysis remains a challenge since low values of
enantioselectivity are usually obtained in EKR of this class of substrates [52].
2
2
.
Experimental data
.1
Materials
Unless otherwise stated, commercially available materials were used without further
purification. All solvents were analytical grade. Analytical thin-layer chromatography (TLC)
analyses were performed by using aluminum-backed silica plates coated with a 0.25 mm layer
of silica gel 60 F254 (Merck, Darmstadt, HE, Germany), visualized with an ultraviolet light (λ =
2
54 nm), followed by exposure to a vanillin solution and mild heating. Standard
chromatographic purification methods were followed using 35-70 mm (220-440 mesh) silica gel
1
13
(
Sigma-Aldrich, MO, USA). H (200 MHz) and C NMR (50 MHz) spectra were recorded with
1
a Bruker DPX 200 spectrometer (Bruker, Massachusetts, USA). The chemical shifts of H and
C NMR were assigned to internal CDCl
1
3
3
(δ
H
= 7.26 ppm), tetramethylsilane (δTMS = 0.00 ppm)
1
or CDCl
3
(δ
C
= 77.0 ppm). H NMR spectra were recorded at 200 MHz frequency and the data
are reported as follows: chemical shift in ppm (δ), multiplicity (s = singlet, d = doublet, t =
triplet, q = quartet, quint = quintet, sext = sextet, m = multiplet, brs = broad singlet), coupling
1
3
constant (J) in Hertz and relative intensity. C NMR spectra were recorded at 50 MHz
frequency and data are reported as chemical shift in ppm (δ). Infrared spectra were recorded
from KBr discs by FTIR with Bomem MB100 spectrometer (ABB Bomem, Zurich,
Switzerland) with internal reference. Maximum absorption (νmax) is reported in wavenumbers
-
1
(
cm ). Enantioselectivity parameters (ee, enantiomeric excess and E, enantioselectivity
coefficient) were determined according to Chen [53] et al. by chiral GC analyses, which were
performed with a GC-17A chromatograph (Shimadzu Co., Kyoto, Japan) equipped with a
hydrogen flame ionization detector and a CP Chirasil-DEX CB chiral column (25ꢀm × 0.25ꢀmm
diameter, 0.25ꢀμm film thickness). One µL of the samples was injected with a split ratio of 1:50,
using N as the carrier gas. The injector and detector were set at 220 °C. The temperature
2
-
1
programming for all compounds was: 40 °C (1 min) to 100 °C – gradient rate: 2 °C min .
Aliphatic alcohols 1a-6a did not show resolution in the chiral chromatography column used,
requiring derivatization to respective propionates (1c-6c). The absolute configurations of
compounds were attributed by comparison with the data available in the literature [52-56]. The
R
retention times (t /min) were as follows for acetates (1b-6b) and propionates (1c-6c): (R)-1b:
9
2
2
.91; (S)-1b: 8.38; (R)-1c: 13.38; (S)-1c: 12.25 (R)-2b: 15.19; (S)-2b: 12.95; (R)-2c: 18.91; (S)-
c: 17.63; (R)-3b: 20.79; (S)-3b: 18.94; (R)-3c: 25.10; (S)-3c: 23.99; (R)-4b: 27.12; (S)-4b:
5.46; (R)-4c: 31.50; (S)-4c: 30.63; (R)-5b: 11.61; (S)-5b: 10.38; (R)-5c: 15.32; (S)-5c: 14.60;
(
R)-6b: 13.53; (S)-6b: 12.77; (R)-6c: 17.80; (S)-6c: 17.28.
2
.2 General procedure for synthesis of alcohols 1a-6a

To a solution of appropriated commercial ketone (50 mmol) in methanol (50 mL)
at 0 °C, NaBH (1.93 g, 51 mmol) was added in portions. In the sequence, the reaction
4
was carried out under vigorous stirring at room temperature for 2h – 6h. Then the
methanol was removed by simple distillation, distilled water was added to the white
-
1
residue and the pH was adjusted to pH 6.0 with aqueous HCl solution 1 mol L . The
organic phase was extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 20 mL), dried over anhydrous
magnesium sulphate, filtered off and concentrated by simple distillation, leading to
racemic alcohols 1a-6a.
1
Pentan-2-ol (1a): Colorless liquid, bp 119 °C, yield 85%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.91 – 1.11 (m, 3H), 1.28 (d, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.39 – 1.53 (m,
H), 1.80 (brs, 1H), 3.73 – 3.80 (m, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl3), δ (ppm): 13.9,
CDCl
4
1
3
J
1
3
-
1
8.8, 23.4, 41.5, 67.7; IR (cm ): 3341, 2959, 2922, 1467 and 1363.
1
Hexan-2-ol (2a): Colorless liquid, bp 138 °C, yield 95%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.84 – 0.99 (m, 3H), 1.18 (d, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.24 – 1.52 (m,
= 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm):
CDCl
3
J
1
3
5
1
1
H), 1.89 (brs, 1H), 3.79 (sext,
J
3
-
1
3.9, 22.6, 23.3, 27.9, 38.9, 68.0; IR (cm ): 3348, 2966, 2922, 2856, 1467, 1371 and
113.
1
Heptan-2-ol (3a): Colorless liquid, bp 159 °C, yield 91%. H NMR (200 MHz,
CDCl
3
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 – 1.39 (m, 14H), 1.73 (brs, 1H), 3.78 (sext,
C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 13.9, 22.6, 23.4, 25.4, 31.8, 39.3, 68.1; IR (cm ):
328, 2966, 2922, 2856, 1467 and 1371.
Octan-2-ol (4a): Colorless liquid, bp 174 °C, yield 89%. H NMR (200 MHz,
CDCl3, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 (s, 3H), 1.20 (d, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.22 (brs, 1H), 1.23 –
= 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 14.0,
2.6, 23.4, 25.7, 29.3, 31.8, 39.3, 68.1; IR (cm ): 3355, 2973, 2929, 2863, 1467, 1378
J = 6.2 Hz, 1H).
1
3
-1
3
3
1
J
1
3
1
2
.49 (m, 10H), 3.78 (sext,
J
3
-
1
and 1327.
-Methyl-pentan-2-ol (5a): Colorless liquid, bp 132 °C, yield 94%. H NMR (200
MHz, CDCl , TMS), δ (ppm): 0.92 (d, = 6.6 Hz, 6H), 1.20 (d, = 3.2 Hz, 3H), 1.33 –
.51 (m, 1H), 1.57 (brs, 1H), 1.63 – 1.86 (m, 1H), 3.79 – 3.98 (m, 1H). C NMR (50
1
4
3
J
J
1
3
1
-
1
MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 22.3, 23.1, 23.9, 24.8, 48.6, 66.1; IR (cm ): 3319, 2959, 2871,
3
1
467, 1392, and 1327.
Hexan-3-ol (6a): Colorless liquid, bp 135 °C, yield 92%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.92 (t, = 7.2 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (t, = 6.9 Hz, 3H), 1.31 – 1.56 (m,
), δ (ppm): 9.8,
4.1, 18.8, 30.1, 39.1, 73.0; IR (cm ): 3348, 2966, 2944, 2871, 1459 and 1319.
1
CDCl
6
1
3
J
J
H), 1.74 (brs, 1H), 3.44 – 3.61 (m, 1H). 13C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl
3
-
1
2.3
General procedure for synthesis of acetates 1b-6b
To a solution of appropriated alcohol 1a-6a (25 mmol) in pyridine (15 mL),
acetic anhydride (5.1 g, 50 mmol) was added. After stirring overnight at room
temperature, ethyl acetate was added (20 mL) and the mixture was repeatedly washed
with aqueous saturated solution of CuSO until complete removal of pyridine. The
4
organic phase was then isolated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered off
and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude products were purified by flash
column chromatography on silica gel (
in 58-84% yields.
n-hexane: ethyl acetate 9:1) to give acetates 1b-6b

1
2
-Pentyl acetate (1b): Colorless oil, bp 134 °C, yield 58%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.92 (t, = 7.1 Hz, 3H), 1.21 (d, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.25 – 1.68 (m,
0H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 4.83 – 4.99 (m, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 13.8,
8.5, 19.8, 21.2, 30.0, 70.7, 170.7; IR (cm ): 2959, 1738, 1467, 1378 and 1238.
CDCl
1
1
3
J
J
1
3
3
-
1
1
2
-Hexyl acetate (2b): Pale yellow oil, bp 154 °C, yield 64%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.86 – 0.93 (m, 3H), 1.20 (d, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.25 – 1.33 (m,
= 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz,
CDCl
3
J
1
3
4
H), 1.42 – 1.63 (m, 2H), 2.03 (s, 3H), 4.89 (sext,
J
-
1
CDCl
3
), δ (ppm): 13.9, 19.8, 21.2, 22.4, 27.5, 35.6, 71.0, 170.7. IR (cm ): 2956, 1738,
1
378, 1245 and 1018.
-Heptyl acetate (3b): Yellow oil, bp 172 °C, yield 78%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.88 (t, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.20 (d, = 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.20 – 1.60 (m,
), δ (ppm): 13.9, 19.8,
1
2
CDCl
3
J
J
1
3
8
2
1
H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 4.81 – 4.97 (m, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl
3
-
1
1.3, 22.5, 25.0, 31.6, 35.8, 70.9, 170.6; IR (cm ): 2930, 1738, 1459, 1378, 1246 and
121.
1
2
-Octyl acetate (4b): Yellow oil, bp 195 °C, yield 84%. H NMR (200 MHz,
CDCl
3
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 (t,
J
= 6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.21 (d,
J
= 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.25 – 1.68 (m,
), δ (ppm): 13.9,
1
3
1
1
1
0H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 4.82 – 4.98 (m, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl
9.8, 21.2, 22.5, 25.3, 29.0, 31.6, 71.0, 170.6; IR (cm ): 2929, 1738, 1467, 1371 and
238.
3
-
1
1
4
-Methyl-2-pentyl acetate (5b): Pale yellow oil, bp 147 °C, yield 81%. H NMR
(
200 MHz, CDCl
3
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.88 – 0.91 (m, 6H), 1.19 (d,
J
= 6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.46 –
1
3
1
2
1
.72 (m, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 4.88 – 5.10 (m, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm):
0.3, 21.2, 22.2, 22.7, 24.6, 45.0, 69.3, 170.6; IR (cm ): 2958, 1739, 1454, 1370 and
232.
3
-
1
1
3
-Hexyl acetate (6b): Pale yellow oil, bp 150 °C, yield 64%. H NMR (200 MHz,
CDCl , TMS), δ (ppm): 0.85 – 0.97 (m, 7H), 1.26 – 1.64 (m, 5H), 2.06 (s, 3H), 4.78 –
3
1
3
4
7
.90 (m, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl
3
), δ (ppm): 9.5, 13.9, 18.5, 21.1, 26.9, 35.7,
-
1
5.2, 170.9; IR (cm ): 2966, 1738, 1238, 907 and 738.
2.4
General procedure for synthesis of propionates 1c-6c
To solution of appropriated alcohol 1a
propanoic anhydride (0.25 mL, 2 mmol) and
added. After vigorous stirring at room temperature for 10 minutes, the mixture was
neutralized with portions of aqueous saturated solution of NaHCO . The organic phase
-
6a (1 mmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL),
N,N
-dimethylaminopyridine (10 mg) were
3
was isolated, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered off and concentrated
under reduced pressure. The crude products were purified by flash column
chromatography on silica gel (eluent: dichloromethane) to give propionates 1c-6c in 73-
8
7% yields.
1
2
-Pentyl propionate (1c): Colorless liquid, yield 76%. H NMR (200 MHz,
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.91 (t, = 6.6 Hz, 3H) 1.13 (t, = 7.5 Hz, 3H), 1.20 (d, = 6.2
= 7.5 Hz, 2H), 4.92 (sext, = 6,2 Hz, 1H). C
), δ (ppm): 9.2, 13.8, 18.6, 19.9, 27.9, 38.1, 70.5 and 174.1. IV
cm ): 1194, 1459, 1731, 2871 and 2966.
-Hexyl propionante (2c): Colorless oil, yield 81%. H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl
TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 (t, = 6.6 Hz , 3H), 1.13 (t, = 7.5 Hz, 3H), 1.19 (d, = 6.2 Hz,
CDCl
3
J
J
J
1
3
Hz, 3H), 1.25 – 1.68 (m, 4H), 2.29 (q,
NMR (50 MHz, CDCl
J
J
3
-
1
(
1
2
3
,
J
J
J

1
3
3
(
(
H), 1.23 – 1.66 (m, 7H), 2.29 (q,
50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 9.2, 13.9, 19.9, 22.5, 27.5, 27.9, 35.6, 70.7 and 174.1. IV
cm ): 1194, 1467, 1731, 2856, 2929 and 2966.
-Heptyl propionate (3c): Yellow oil, yield 78%. H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl3,
TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 (t, = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 1.14 (t, = 7.5 Hz, 3H), 1.21 (d, 6.2, 3H), 1.24
1.73 (m, 8H), 2.30 (q, 7.5, 2H), 4.91 (sext,
J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 4.90 (sext, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR
3
-
1
1
2
J
J
1
3
–
J = 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR (50 MHz,
-
1
CDCl ), δ (ppm): 9.1, 13.9, 19.9, 22.5, 24.9, 27.9, 31.6, 35.8, 70.8 and 174.1. IV (cm ):
3
1
121, 1194, 1459, 1731, 2853 and 2930.
-Octyl propionate (4c): Yellow oil, yield 87%. H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl
TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 (t, = 6.3 Hz, 3H), 1.14 (t, = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.21 (d, = 6.2 Hz,
H), 1.24 – 1.70 (m, 10H), 2.30 (q, = 7.5 Hz, 2H) 4.91 (sext, = 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR
50 MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 9.1, 13.9, 19.9, 22.5, 25.3, 27.9, 29.0, 31.7, 35.9, 70.7 and
74.1. IV (cm ): 1187, 1459, 1731, 2856 and 2936.
1
2
3
,
J
J
J
1
3
3
(
1
J
J
3
-
1
1
4
-Methyl-2-pentyl propionate (5c): Colorless oil, yield 82%. H NMR (200 MHz,
CDCl
3
, TMS), δ (ppm): 0.89 (d, J = 4.5 Hz, 6H), 1.13 (t, 7.5, 3H), 1.19 (d, 6.2, 3H),
1
3
1
.25-1.57 (m, 3H), 2.29 (q,
MHz, CDCl ), δ (ppm): 9.1, 20.4, 22.3, 22.8, 24.7, 45.1, 69.1 and 174.0. IV (cm ): 1194,
467, 1731, 2863 and 2951.
-Hexyl propionate (6c): Colorless oil, yield 73%. H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl
TMS), δ (ppm): 0.87 (t, = 7.6 Hz, 3H), 0.90 (t, =7.3 Hz, 3H), 1.14 (t, = 7.6, 3H),
.32 – 1.67 (m, 6H), 2.31 (q, = 7.6, 2H), 4.83 (quint, = 6.2, 1H). C RMN (50 MHz,
), δ (ppm): 9.2, 9.4, 13.8, 18.5, 26.9, 27.8, 35.7, 74.9 and 174.2. IV (cm ): 1194,
J = 7.5 Hz, 2H), 5.00 (sext, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H). C NMR (50
-
1
3
1
1
3
3
,
J
J
J
1
3
1
J
J
-
1
CDCl
3
1
459, 1731, 2871 and 2966.
2.5
General procedure for enzymatic kinetic resolution by transesterification
reactions
To a solution of appropriated alcohol 1a
-
6a (0.1 mmol) in n-hexane (2 mL), vinyl
acetate (34 mg, 0.4 mmol) and 50 mg (corresponding to 11 U of activity) of immobilized
enzyme (LipG9) were added and the was reaction carried out at controlled temperature
and 150 rpm. The progress of the reaction was monitored by GC chiral analysis.
2.6
Lipase production and immobilization
The expression of LipG9 was done according to Martini [42] et al. The purified
LipG9 was immobilized by physical adsorption on the polypropylene Accurel MP 1000,
according to Alnoch [48] et al.
2.7
Lipase activity assay
The hydrolytic activity of Im-LipG9 was determined from spectrophotometric
quantification of oleic acid resulting from the hydrolysis of triolein in
mL Erlenmeyer flask, triolein (1.4 mmol, 1.23 g), and -heptane (4.9 mL), distilled water
2% v/v) and LipG9 (20 mg) were added. The mixture was incubated in an orbital shaker
n-heptane. In a 125
n
(
at 200 rpm and 40 °C. The progress of the hydrolysis reaction was monitored by
determination of fatty acids using the Lowry-Tinsley method [57]. One unit of activity

(
U) corresponded to the production of 1 μmol of fatty acid per minute, under the assay
conditions.
3
.
Results and discussion
3.1
Syntheses of substrates
The applicability of a novel Im-LipG9 in organic synthesis was first evaluated by
its performance in transesterification reactions of aliphatic alcohols (1a-6a). Enzymatic
kinetic resolution (EKR) is already a well-established synthetic method especially for
secondary aromatic alcohols. Nonetheless, EKR of secondary aliphatic alcohols is more
difficult and low enantiomeric excesses are frequently observed [52]. Since Im-LipG9
was previously evaluated in EKR of 1-phenylethanol with high performance [48], we
decided to expand its application to aliphatic alcohols. Chemical reduction of
commercial ketones
1
-
6
with sodium borohydride led to aliphatic alcohols 1a
-6a in 85-
9
5% yields, which were subsequently used as starting materials to produce the respective
esters 1b
-
6b employing chemical acetylation with acetic anhydride (Ac O) in 58-84%
2
yields (Scheme 1).
3.2
Enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols in lipase-catalysed
transesterification
The initial exploratory transesterification assays were carried out employing 50
mg of Im-LipG9, which corresponds to 11 U of activity in triolein hydrolysis reaction,
°
n
-hexanes as solvent, and vinyl acetate as acyl donor at 35 C [48] (Table 1). The initial
screening already demonstrated the potential applicability of Im-LipG9 in organic
synthesis, since its performance was superior to the majority of those results reported in
literature. Im-LipG9 mediated EKR of (R,S
49%) and enantiomeric excess for ( )-1a (81%) and (
4 hours, resulting in an enantiomeric ratio (E) equal to 39. These results are better than
those described in the literature: Pseudomonas cepacia (Amano PS) lipase-catalysed
EKR of 1a reaction led to ( )-1a with just 20% ee, while commercially available lipases
)
-
pentan-2-ol (1a) with high conversion
(
S
R)-1b (88%, Table 1, entry 1) after
2
S
from porcine pancreatic (PPL), Penicillium sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Mucor sp. led to
racemic ester 1b [54]. In view of these results, we decided to expand the scope of
substrates by varying the R position with different alkyl chains, in order to investigate
2
Im-LipG9 in EKR of a series of more challenging aliphatic alcohols 2a-6a, (Table 1,
entries 2-6).
Our results confirmed the difficulty of applying EKR to those compounds and
reinforce the relevance of bioprospecting for new enzymes or reaction conditions for that
class of alcohols. When EKR reactions of alcohols 2a-6a were compared with EKR of
1
(
a
in Im-LipG9-mediated transesterification reactions, the influence of alkyl chain size
at R position) was noticeable. When ( )-hexan-2-ol (2a) was used as substrate,
despite high conversion (54%), ee of ester ( )-2b decreased from 88 to 74% and the
2
R,S
R
enantiomeric ratio also decreased (from 39 to 19). However, in the literature, EKR of 2a
catalyzed by the commercial lipase from P. cepacia (Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.)
also presented low enantiomeric ratio (E = 13 in
n-hexane and E = 4 in 2,2-

dimethylbutane as solvent) [55]. On the other hand, for the EKR of 2a mediated by P.
fluorescens lipase (Amano AK) immobilized in sol-gel, the enantiomeric ratio was high
(
E>200) but the conversion was only 24% after 24 hours [56].
The negative influence of a long alkyl chain at R position on the enantiomeric
ratio can also be seen for EKR of aliphatic racemic alcohols 3a and 4a. (R,S)-heptan-2-ol
3a) and (R,S)-octan-2-ol (4a) in LipG9-mediated reactions presented 52% and 53%
2
(
conversions, respectively, after 24 hours (Table 1, entries 3 and 4), but the enantiomeric
ratios were low (E = 4 and E = 3, respectively) for both compounds. These results
indicate a possible unfavorable fitting of a bigger aliphatic chain (n-pentyl and n-hexyl
for alcohols 3a and 4a, respectively) attached to the chirality center at the catalytic site of
Im-LipG9, which shows the dependence between the structure of the substrate and the
enantioselectivity of lipase.
Transesterification reactions of 3a and 4a catalyzed by commercial lipase from P.
fluorescens (Amano Enzyme Inc.) immobilized in sol-gel also presented low
enantiomeric ratio (E = 11 and E = 4, respectively) [56], demonstrating the agreement of
our results with those in the literature. Furthermore, for EKR of (R,S)-heptan-2-ol (3a)
catalyzed by lipases from porcine pancreas (PPL, Sigma Chemicals) and Candida
antarctica (CAL, Fluka 62299), the conversions were only 2% and 6% after 24 hours,
respectively, and low enantiomeric ratios were also observed (E = 13 and E = 2.2). For
EKR of 3a catalyzed by Candida cylindracea lipase (CCL, Fluka 62316) and pig liver
esterease (immobilized on Eupergit C, PLE, Fluka 46064), conversions were 56% and
2
4% after 24 hours, respectively, but these commercial enzymes were not
enantioselective for these substrates (E = 1.2 for both lipases). The lipases from
Penicillium roqueforti (PRL, Fluka 62308) and Aspergillus oryzae (AOL, Fluka 62285)
almost did not catalyze the EKR of 3a (conversions were 1% and 0.1%, respectively)
[
57].
The contribution of the structural design to the low stereoselectivity parameters
could be verified in EKR of the (R,S)-4-methyl-pentan-2-ol (5a), an alcohol with a
branched chain at the R position. EKR of 5a mediated by Im-LipG9 led to ( )-5b with
6% ee and E=63 (Table 1, entry 5). The comparison between EKR of 2a and 5a
reinforce the hypothesis of the structural influence of the substrate on Im-LipG9
selectivity. Both alcohols contain a butyl moiety at the R position, but for an -butyl
chain (alcohol 2a), poor stereoselectivity parameters were observed. On the other hand,
in the EKR of 5a, which contains a branched sec-butyl chain at R , higher
2
R
9
2
n
2
stereoselectivity parameters were obtained. The EKR of 5a catalyzed by the commercial
immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica B (CALB, Novozymes) presented high
enantiomeric ratio (E>200) and conversion (c = 50 %) [52].
For Im-LipG9-mediated transesterification reaction of (R,S)-hexan-3-ol (6a),
although high conversion was obtained (59%, Table 1, entry 6), both enantiomeric ratio
and ee were low, which can be explained by the small difference in the steric bulk of the
groups R
1
and R
2
(ethyl and n-propyl, respectively) attached to the stereogenic center in
6
a. We did not find any reports about the EKR of alcohol 6a.
3.3
Effect of reaction medium on LipG9-catalyzed transesterification

In an attempt to improve the enantioselectivity of Im-LipG9, the influence of acyl
donors, organic solvents and temperature in the EKR of alcohol 1a was investigated. The
EKR employing isopropenyl acetate and ethyl acetate as acylating agents presented
lower conversion rates (36% and 8%, respectively) and enantiomeric ratios (E = 22 and
E = 3, respectively) than EKR employing vinyl acetate (c = 49%, E = 39). In addition to
hexane, four other organic solvents were tested in transesterification reactions, as
follows:
shown in Figure 1, the transesterification reactions occurred in all solvents, but heptane
c = 60%, E = 13) and hexane (c = 58%, E = 17) were the best ones. For the
transesterification reactions of 1a mediated by LipG9 employing ACN, M BE and
n-heptane, toluene, methyl t-butyl ether (MtBE) and acetonitrile (ACN). As
(
t
toluene as organic solvents, in addition to lower conversions (c = 50%, 35% and 6%,
respectively), the enantiomeric ratios also decreased (E = 8, 8 and 12, respectively). The
change of reaction temperature from 35 °C to either 25 °C or 45 °C also promoted a
decrease in the enantiomeric ratio (E = 20 and E = 17, respectively), but no significant
change was observed in conversions. Taking into account these results, no significant
improvement of Im-LipG9 enantioselectivity was obtained by changing the acyl donor,
the organic solvent or the temperature. The initial reaction conditions (vinyl acetate,
o
hexane and 35 C) were the best ones for EKR of compound 1a
.
3.4
Hydrolysis reaction
Im-LipG9 was evaluated in the hydrolysis reaction of racemic esters 1b
Scheme 1). For the initial exploratory hydrolysis assay, distillated water was employing
as nucheophile and -hexane as solvent, at 35 °C. However, this reaction did not occur.
Despite this unsuccessful attempt, other reaction conditions were evaluated for
-6b
(
n
-
1
enzymatic hydrolysis. Phosphate buffer solution (0.1 mol L , pH = 7) and toluene as
solvent and a higher temperature (70 °C) were tested. Nevertheless, no hydrolysis
product was detected. These results indicate that Im-LipG9 presents a high degree of
chemoselectivity, since EKR of the alcohols 1a-6a was successfully performed by
transesterification reaction, while no reaction was observed for the hydrolysis of the
corresponding esters.
4. Conclusions
Metagenomic lipase LipG9 is a promising biocatalyst, since it showed
enantioselectivity equal to or better than commercially available lipases for the EKR of
aliphatic sec-alcohols by transesterification reactions. LipG9 was successfully employed
in EKR of aliphatic alcohols, which were resolved with satisfactory conversions (19-
5
9%) and enantiomeric excesses for alcohols (26-88%) and esters (30-96%) by
transesterification reactions. Changing the reaction parameters (acyl donor, organic
solvent or temperature) did not cause significant improvement of Im-LipG9
o
enantioselectivity, so the initial reaction conditions (vinyl acetate, hexane and 35 C)
were the best ones for EKR catalyzed by Im-LipG9. Hydrolysis of aliphatic esters 1b-6b
did not occur, indicating that these compounds are not good substrates for hydrolysis
reactions mediated by Im-LipG9. However, given the results obtained, Im-LipG9
presented chemoselectivity to aliphatic compounds, since transesterification reactions
occurred while hydrolysis did not. There is still room for improvements in the
performance of LipG9, considering that this native lipase was only purified, immobilized

and directly evaluated in EKR of aliphatic alcohols without others chemical or biological
interventions. The need for new enzymes or the engineering of the reaction media in
EKR of aliphatic alcohols should be fostered, since the synthetic challenge presented by
this class of alcohols is evident and the influence of structural aspects of the substrate on
the conversions and the enantiomeric ratio is dramatic. The results presented here for the
immobilized metagenomic lipase LipG9 show that metagenomics is a useful technique
for finding new biocatalysts with application in enzymatic kinetic resolutions.
Acknowledgements
We thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, Conselho
Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil - Proc. 456834/2014), Office to
Improve University Personnel (CAPES, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível
Superior) and Araucária Foundation for financial support and fellowships.
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60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Hexane
Heptane
Toluene
MtBE
ACN
0
5
10
15
20
25
Time (h)
Figure 1 Effect of organic solvent on the conversion of transesterification of (R,S)-pentan-2-ol (1a) mediated
by LipG9. Reaction conditions: substrates (0.1 mmol), vinyl acetate (0.4 mmol), organic solvents (2 mL),
immobilized LipG9 (Im-LipG9) (11 U), 45 °C and 24 hours.

O
O
OH
R2
O
1
) NaBH4, MeOH,
Ac O, pyridine,
2
R1
R2
R1
R1
R2
0
2
°C - r.t. 2h-6h
) HCl(aq)
r.t., overnight
R = Me, R2 = n-Pr; 1
1a (85%)
2a (95%)
3a (91%)
4a (89%)
5a (94%)
6a (92%)
1b (58%)
2b (84%)
3b (78%)
4b (83%)
5b (81%)
6b (64%)
1
R = Me, R2 = n-Bu, 2
1
R = Me, R2 = n-Pent, 3
1
R = Me, R2 = n-Hex, 4
1
R = Me, R2 = i-Bu, 5
1
R = Et, R2 = n-Pr, 6
1
Scheme 1 Syntheses of aliphatic sec-alcohols 1a
-6a and esters 1b-6b
Table 1 Enzymatic kinetic resolution of alcohols 1a-6a
a
b
c
(
ee (%)
c
Entry Alcohol
E
%)
alcohol ester
1
2
3
4
5
6
1a
2a
3a
4a
5a
6a
49
54
52
53
19
59
81
88
47
36
26
32
88
74
46
30
96
52
39
19
4
3
63
4
Reaction conditions: substrates (0.1 mmol), vinyl acetate (0.4 mmol), n-hexane (2 mL), immobilized LipG9 (11 U), 35 °C and 24 hours.
a
b
c
Conversion (c). Enantiomeric excess (ee): determinate GC analysis using chiral column Chiral-Dex-CB; Enantiomeric ratio (E).