948997-89-5

Upstream product

• 141-53-7 sodium formate 
• 34713-70-7 2-Phenylpropanal 
• 107-31-3 Methyl formate 
• 1445-91-6 (S)-1-phenylethanol 
• 98-86-2 acetophenone 
• 2258-42-6 formyl acetic anhydride 

Downstream Products

• 124615-89-0 1-phenylethyl formate 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Titration and assignment of residues that regulate the enantioselectivity of phenylacetone monooxygenase

Phenylacetone monooxygense (PAMO) from Thermobifida fusca was employed for the asymmetric oxidation of thioanisole (sulfoxidation) and of racemic 2-phenylpropionaldehyde (Baeyer-Villiger oxidation). A pH dependence of enantioselectivity was observed in both cases. Two different residues, with pKa values of 7.8 ± 0.2 and 9.2 ± 0.2, appeared to be responsible for the pH effects on PAMO enantioselectivity. The protonation of Arg337 and the FAD:C4a-hydroperoxide/ FAD :C4a-peroxide equilibrium were identified as the major factors responsible for the fine-tuning of PAMO enantioselectivity in Baeyer-Villiger oxidation and sulfooxidation, respectively.

Synthesis and applications to catalysis of novel cyclopentadienone iron tricarbonyl complexes

A series of cyclopentadienone iron tricarbonyl complexes with diverse structures were prepared, in each case using the intramolecular cyclisation of a diyne as a key step. The complexes were generated as enantiomerically enriched through (i) asymmetric synthesis of a C2-symmetric diol following a reported protocol, (ii) resolution of enantiomerically-enriched diastereoisomers formed from a chiral alcohol and (iii) kinetic resolution of a racemic ketone-containing iron tricarbonyl complex. The approaches underline the diversity of the synthetic routes which can be employed in the synthesis of homochiral cyclopentadienone iron tricarbonyl complexes. Although the complexes proved to be effective as catalysts for the reduction of ketones, the alcohol products were formed in low ees (not exceeding ca. 35%), highlighting the challenging nature of asymmetric catalysis using complexes of this type.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Transformylation

The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed transformylation has been developed for the conversion of 1°, 2°, and 3° alcohols to the corresponding formates. The reaction employs low catalyst loadings and methyl formate as the formyl transfer reagent. The scope of the reaction is broad with 23 examples reported with good yields (59-96%). The reaction is insensitive to common nitrogen and oxygen protecting groups and can be achieved in the presence of a number of heterocycles.

Ansa-Ruthenium(II) Complexes of R2NSO2DPEN-(CH2)n(η6-Aryl) Conjugate Ligands for Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Aryl Ketones

New 3rd generation designer ansa-ruthenium(II) complexes featuring N,C-alkylene-tethered N,N-dialkylsulfamoyl-DPEN/η6-arene ligands, exhibited good catalytic performance in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of various classes of (het)aryl ketones in formic acid/triethylamine mixture. In particular, benzo-fused cyclic ketones furnished 98 to >99.9% ee using a low catalyst loading.

Enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic ketones catalyzed by Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases

A set of racemic cyclic and linear ketones, as well as 2-phenylpropionaldehyde, were tested as substrates in the enzymatic Baeyer-Villiger oxidation catalyzed by two Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases: phenylacetone monooxygenase (PAMO) and 4-hydroxyacetophenone monooxygenase (HAPMO). Excellent enantioselectivites (E > 200) can be obtained in the kinetic resolution processes depending on the substrate structure and the reaction conditions. The parameters affecting the biocatalytic properties of these enzymes were also studied, in order to establish a deeper understanding of these novel biocatalysts.