A novel generation of optically active 1,2-diols from the racemates by using halohydrin dehydro-dehalogenase

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(00)86179-0

A novel enzyme dehalogenating halohydrins, designated as halohydrin dehydo-dehalogenase (HDDase), was purified from Alcaligenes sp. DS-S-7G. The enzyme catalyzed oxidative dehalogenation of (R)-3-chloro-1,2-propanediol [monochlorohydrin (MCH)] to acetic acid and formaldehyde via hydroxyacetone stereoselectively by the addition of artificial electron acceptors. The dehalogenating activity was much higher in the presence of 2,6- dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) and phenazine methosulfate (PMS). The resulting stereoselective dehydro-dehalogenation was applicable to preparation of various optically active halohydrins and 1,2-diols so that the respective residual isomers had excellent enantiomeric excesses (ee) (60-99% ee).