Enzymatic resolution of (±)-cis-2-aminocyclopentanol and (±)-cis-2- aminocyclohexanol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(98)00482-0

(±)-cis-N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-2-aminocyclopentanol was efficiently resolved by O-acylation with Pseudomonas cepacia lipase, as was (±)-cis-N- benzyloxycarbonyl-2-aminocyclohexanol when Candida antarctica lipase was used.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(98)00482-0

TETRAHEDRON:
ASYMMETRY
Pergamon
Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9 (1998) 4483–4487
Enzymatic resolution of (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclopentanol and
(ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclohexanol
Amparo Luna,a Covadonga Astorga,a Ferenc Fülöp b and Vicente Gotor a,∗
aDepartamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de Oviedo, 33071 Oviedo, Spain
bInstitute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, H-6701 Szeged, POB 121, Hungary
Received 3 November 1998; accepted 25 November 1998
Abstract
(ꢀ)-cis-N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-2-aminocyclopentanol was efficiently resolved by O-acylation with
Pseudomonas cepacia lipase, as was (ꢀ)-cis-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-2-aminocyclohexanol when Candida
antarctica lipase was used. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
In recent years, we have been exploring the use of enzymes, and particularly lipases, in organic sol-
vents, for the synthesis and resolution of nitrogen-containing organic compounds.1 1,2-Amino alcohols
were resolved via an enzymatic aminolysis reaction,2 although the enzymatic transesterification of N-
protected amino alcohols has been reported by ourselves3 and others4 as an efficient procedure for the
resolution of some amino alcohols.
Surprisingly, very little attention has been paid to the enzymatic resolution of cyclic 1,2-amino
alcohols. The importance of these compounds is evident by virtue of their biological and pharma-
cological properties,5 and cis-1,2-amino alcohols are also of great interest in asymmetric cataly-
sis and asymmetric synthesis.6 Considerable efforts have been made to obtain optically active (ꢀ)-
trans-2-aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-trans-2-aminocyclohexanol.7 However, their isomers (ꢀ)-cis-2-
aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclohexanol, whose structures are present in a wide variety
of biologically active compounds,8 have scarcely been studied.
We recently reported9 a practical and efficient procedure for the resolution of (ꢀ)-trans-2-
aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-trans-2-aminocyclohexanol. On the basis of these initial results, our aim
was to develop a similar strategy for the resolution of (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-cis-2-
aminocyclohexanol. We report here the enzymatic resolution of these amino alcohols.
∗
Corresponding author. E-mail: vgs@sauron.quimica.uniovi.es
0957-4166/98/$ - see front matter © 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S0957-4166(98)00482-0

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A. Luna et al. / Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9 (1998) 4483–4487
Table 1
As in the previously-mentioned resolution of the trans isomers, we began our experiments with the
corresponding N-benzyloxycarbonyl derivatives as starting material, in order to obtain enantiomerically
pure (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclohexanol.
In a first approach to the resolution of (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclopentanol, the lipase from Pseudomonas
cepacia (PSL) was chosen as a biocatalyst, because of its great efficiency in the enantioselective
acylation of racemic trans-2-aminocyclopentanol and trans-2-aminocyclohexanol. Vinyl acetate was
used as an acylation reagent and 1,4-dioxane as the solvent at 30°C. Under these reaction conditions, PSL
exhibited high enantioselectivity towards the substrate, yielding the O-acetyl derivative (1R,2S)-2 with an
enantiomeric excess of >99% ([α]D=−53.6, c=1.03, EtOH) and the 2-hydroxycarbamate (1S,2R)-1 was
recovered in 99% ee ([α]D=+34.31, c=0.95, EtOH). These data were in accordance with the conversion
(50%) and enantiomeric ratio (E >200) of the reaction (Table 1, entry 2). The absolute configuration of
(1S,2R)-1 was assigned by deprotection and subsequent transformation into the hydrochloride. The sign
of the specific rotation of this compound was compared with that given in the literature.11
The same methodology was applied to the Cbz derivative of (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclohexanol. The results
obtained at 30°C, however, were disappointing (Table 1, entry 3). The acylated product (1R,2S)-4 was
obtained in a high enantiomeric excess (>99%) and the substrate (1S,2R)-3 was recovered practically
as the racemate (4% ee) with a conversion of 4%. Even though the enzyme exhibited a marked
enantioselectivity (ee >200), the reaction rate was low. These results prompted us to increase the
temperature to 60°C with the aim of accelerating the acetylation, but the results were still unsatisfactory.
This result is somewhat surprising when the behaviour of (ꢀ)-trans-2-aminocyclohexanol in the same
enzymatic process is considered. It is to be expected that in both isomers the largest substituent (N-Cbz)
will be in the equatorial position,12 and thus the hydroxy group will be locked in the axial position for
the cis isomer and in the equatorial one for the trans derivative. This geometrical difference could be the
reason for the lower reactivity of the cis isomer.
In order to improve the rate of the acylation, we tried isopropenyl acetate as the acyl donor and PSL in
tert-butyl methyl ether at 40°C (Table 2, entry 3), but the results were again unsatisfactory. The reaction
rate was increased when lipase from Candida antarctica (CAL) was used as a biocatalyst, with vinyl
ester as the acylating agent in tert-butyl methyl ether (Table 2, entry 6). Finally, the acylation of 3 gave
enantiopure (1R,2S)-4 in very good yield.

A. Luna et al. / Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9 (1998) 4483–4487
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Table 2
In summary, this paper describes a simple and efficient procedure for resolution of the important
compounds (ꢀ)-cis-1,2-aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-cis-1,2-aminocyclohexanol. There is a noteworthy
influence of the ring size on the efficiency of conversion.
2. Experimental section
2.1. General
Candida antarctica lipase (CAL), SP 435, was a gift from Novo Nordisk Co. Pseudomonas cepacia
lipase (PSL) was purchased from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. All reagents were of commercial quality
and were purchased from Aldrich Chemie. Solvents were distilled over an appropriate desiccant and
stored under nitrogen. Precoated TLC plates of silica gel 60 F254 from Merck were used, while for
column chromatography, Merck silica gel 60/230–400 mesh was applied. Mps were measured with
a Gallenkamp apparatus and are uncorrected. Optical rotations were measured with a Perkin–Elmer
241 polarimeter. IR spectra were recorded on a Perkin–Elmer Mattson 3000 infrared Fourier transform
spectrophotometer. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were obtained with a Bruker AC-300 (1H 300 MHz and 13
C
75 MHz) spectrometer. Mass spectra were recorded on a Hewlett–Packard 5897 A spectrometer. HPLC
analyses were carried out on a Shimadzu LC liquid chromatograph.
The (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclopentanol and (ꢀ)-cis-2-aminocyclohexanol hydrochlorides were prepa-
red from the corresponding racemic trans counterparts,13 by using a recently described inversion
procedure.11 (ꢀ)-cis-2-Aminocyclopentanol hydrochloride: mp 180–183°C. Lit.13 mp 181–183°C. (ꢀ)-
cis-2-Aminocyclohexanol hydrochloride: mp 189–191°C. Lit.13 mp 190–191°C.
2.2. Preparation of racemic benzyl N-(2-hydroxycycloalkane)carbamates 1 and 3
To a solution of amino alcohol (2 mmol) and sodium carbonate (0.254 g, 2.4 mmol) in water (3.4 ml),
benzyl chloroformate (2.4 mmol) was added dropwise over a 0.5 h period at 0–5°C. The reaction mixture
was stirred for an additional 6 h at room temperature and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic
layer was dried and evaporated to dryness, to give the desired product in 85–100% yield.
2.3. (ꢀ)-Benzyl N-(2-hydroxycyclopentyl)carbamate 1
The racemic 2-hydroxycarbamate 1 was purified by flash chromatography using ethyl acetate:hexane
as eluent; this was a white solid, mp 73–75°C. 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.52–1.98 (m, 6H), 2.65
(br s, 1H, OH), 3.85 (br s, 1H, CH-NH), 4.13 (br s, 1H, CH-OH), 5.09 (s, 2H, O-CH2-Ph), 5.38–5.42

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A. Luna et al. / Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9 (1998) 4483–4487
(m, 1H, NH), 7.34 (m, 5Harm); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ 20.1 (CH2), 28.9 (CH2), 32.4 (CH2), 55.7
(CH-NH), 66.7 (O-CH2-Ph), 72.4 (CH-OH), 128.1 (CHarm), 128.2 (CHarm), 128.5 (CHarm), 136.4
(Carm), 156.4 (CO); IR (KBr) 3327, 1674 cm−1. MS (EI) m/z: 235 (C13H17NO3+2%), 91(C7H7+100%).
2.4. (ꢀ)-Benzyl N-(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)carbamate 3
The compound (ꢀ)-3 was a white solid, mp 75–77 °C (from ethyl acetate:hexane). 1H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 1.38–1.71 (m, 8H), 2.60 (br s, 1H, OH), 3.65 (br s, 1H, CH-NH), 3.92 (br s, 1H, CH-OH),
5.08 (s, 2H, O-CH2-Ph), 5.37–5.41 (m, 1H, NH), 7.26–7.36 (m, 5Harm); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3)
δ 19.6 (CH2), 23.8 (CH2), 27.5 (CH2), 31.7 (CH2), 52.6 (CH-NH), 66.9 (O-CH2-Ph), 69.2 (CH-OH),
127.9 (CHarm), 128.3 (CHarm), 136.2 (Carm), 156.0 (CO); IR (KBr) 3327, 1674 cm−1. MS (EI) m/z:
249 (C14H19NO3+3%), 91 (C7H7+100%).
2.5. General procedure for the syntheses of benzyl carbamates 2 and 4
Vinyl acetate (10 mmol) and carbamate (ꢀ)-cis-1 or (ꢀ)-cis-3 (1 mmol) were added to a suspension
of PSL (320 mg) in 1,4-dioxane (9 ml) under nitrogen. The mixture was shaken at 30°C and 250 rpm
for 2 days and 13 days, respectively. The enzyme was then filtered off and washed with dichloromethane
(2×10 ml) and the organic solvents were evaporated off. The crude residue was subjected to column
chromatography with ethyl acetate:hexane, 1:2 as eluent.
Isopropenyl acetate (5 mmol) or vinyl acetate (10 mmol) and carbamate (ꢀ)-cis-3 (1 mmol) were
added to a suspension of CAL (200 mg) in tert-butyl methyl ether (2 ml) under nitrogen. The mixture
was shaken at 40°C and 250 rpm for 7 days. The enzyme was then filtered off and washed with
dichloromethane (2×10 ml) and the organic solvents were evaporated off. The crude residue was
subjected to column chromatography with ethyl acetate:hexane, 1:2 as eluent.
2.6. Benzyl (1R,2S)-N-(2-acetoxycyclopentyl)carbamate 2
1
The above procedure gave 100% of (1R,2S)-2 as a white solid, mp 58–60°C. H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 1.55–2.05 (m, 9H), 4.05–4.11 (m, 1H, CH-NH), 4.90–5.1 (m, 4H), 7.37 (s, 5Harm); 13C
NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ 19.98 (CH2), 21.18 (CH3), 29.58 (CH2), 30.19 (CH2), 54.02 (CH-NH),
66.84 (O-CH2-Ph), 75.75 (CH-COMe), 127.23 (CHarm), 128.52 (CHarm), 136.3 (Carm), 155.77 (CO
carbamate), 170.29 (CO ester); IR (KBr) 3378, 1728, 1594 cm−1. MS (EI) m/z: 277 (C15H19NO4+17%),
91 (C7H7+100%). Ee for (1R,2S)-2 99% determined by chiral HPLC, using hexane:propan-2-ol, 95:5
as eluent, 0.6 ml/min; tR 29.44 min. For rac-benzyl carbamate, two peaks: tR 27.68 and 29.57 min;
Rs, 1.18; [α]D23=−60.8 (c 1.0 in EtOH). For the unreacted enantiomer [α]D23=+34.3 (c 0.95 in EtOH)
(100%), 99% ee was obtained, determined from its methyl ester derivative by chiral HPLC under the
same conditions as described earlier, tR 27.36 min.
2.7. Benzyl (1R,2S)-N-(2-acetoxycyclohexyl)carbamate 4
1
The previously described procedure gave 91% of (1R,2S)-4 as a yellow oil. H NMR (300 MHz,
CDCl3) δ 1.44–2.06 (m, 11H), 3.81 (m, 1H, CH-NH), 4.90–5.09 (m, 4H), 7.38 (s, 5Harm); 13C NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl3) δ 19.85 (CH2), 20.95 (CH3), 23.37 (CH2), 27.84 (CH2), 28.34 (CH2), 50.46 (CH-NH),
66.51 (O-CH2-Ph), 71.94 (CH-COMe), 127.90 (CHarm), 128.27 (CHarm), 136.22 (Carm), 155.39 (CO
carbamate), 170.19 (CO ester); IR (KBr) 3337, 1712, 1592 cm−1. MS (EI) m/z: 291 (C16H21NO4+2%),

A. Luna et al. / Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 9 (1998) 4483–4487
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91 (C7H7+100%). Determination of ee for (1R,2S)-4: 96% by chiral HPLC with hexane:propan-2-ol,
90:10 as eluent, 0.8 ml/min; tR 10.58 and 12.23 min; [α]D23=−55.14 (c 1.03 in EtOH). For rac-benzyl
carbamate, two peaks: tR 10.74 and 12.55 min; Rs, 2.47. For the unreacted enantiomer [α]D23=+29.26 (c
0.95 in EtOH) (86%), 96% ee was obtained, determined from its methyl ester derivative by chiral HPLC
under the same conditions as described above, tR 10.49 and 12.3 min.
Acknowledgements
Financial support of this work by CICYT (Project BIO-95-0687) is gratefully acknowledged. A.L.
thanks CONACYT in México for a predoctoral scholarship. The authors also thank Novo Nordisk Co.
for the generous gift of CAL.
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