Lipase mediated enzymatic kinetic resolution of phenylethyl halohydrins acetates: A case of study and rationalization

Racemic phenylethyl halohydrins acetates containing several groups attached to the aromatic ring were resolved via hydrolysis reaction in the presence of lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym\uae 435). In all cases, the kinetic resolution was highly selective (E > 200) leading to the corresponding (S)-\u3b2-halohydrin with ee > 99 %. However, the time required for an ideal 50 % conversion ranged from 15 min for 2,4-dichlorophenyl chlorohydrin acetate to 216 h for 2-chlorophenyl bromohydrin acetate. Six chlorohydrins and five bromohydrins were evaluated, the latter being less reactive. For the \u3b2-brominated substrates, steric hindrance on the aromatic ring played a crucial role, which was not observed for the \u3b2-chlorinated derivatives. To shed light on the different reaction rates, docking studies were carried out with all the substrates using MD simulations. The computational data obtained for the \u3b2-brominated substrates, based on the parameters analysed such as NAC (near attack conformation), distance between Ser-O and carbonyl-C and oxyanion site stabilization were in agreement with the experimental results. On the other hand, the data obtained for \u3b2-chlorinated substrates suggested that physical aspects such as high hydrophobicity or induced change in the conformation of the enzymatic active site are more relevant aspects when compared to steric hindrance effects

CONTROL OF ENZYME HYDRATION IN PENICILLIN AMIDASE CATALYSED SYNTHESIS OF AMIDE BOND

Penicillin amidase catalyses the synthesis of amide bond in very high yield (>98%), using equimolar concentrations of the amine and the phenylacetic components. In situ hydrated phosphates were employed for controlling the water activity in a benzene/water system (97:3 v/v), where the water is taken up by the salt with formation of the hydrated species

One-Step Stereospecific Synthesis of a,b-Dehydroaminoacids and Dehydropeptides

Dehydroamino acids and dehydropeptides were prepared by a one-pot reaction employing diethyl chloroposphate in the presence of sodium hydride. The reaction is stereospecific and proceeds without racemization

Understanding Enzyme Immobilisation

Enzymes are versatile catalysts in the laboratory and on an industrial scale. To broaden their applicability in the laboratory and to ensure their (re)use in manufacturing the stability of enzymes can often require improvement. Immobilisation can address the issue of enzymatic instability. Immobilisation can also help to enable the employment of enzymes in different solvents, at extremes of pH and temperature and exceptionally high substrate concentrations. At the same time substrate-specificity, enantioselectivity and reactivity can be modified. However, most often the molecular and physical\u2013chemical bases of these phenomena have not been elucidated yet. This tutorial review focuses on the understanding of enzyme immobilisation