Enzymatic Desymmetrisation of Prochiral meso -1,2-Disubstituted-1,2-Diaminoethane for the Synthesis of Key Enantioenriched (−)-Nutlin-3 Precursor

• Published in: Molecules
• Main Authors: Virginia Cristofori, Davide Illuminati, Chiara Bisquoli, Martina Catani, Greta Compagnin, Giulia Turrin, Claudio Trapella, Anna Fantinati
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2024
• Subjects: biocatalysis; Nutlin-3a; desymmetrisation; vicinal meso -diamines; Organic chemistry; QD241-441; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29143267; https://doaj.org/article/59b0a2d3578d4571872fd539124d04e7

Herein we present the biocatalysed preparation of a mono- N -carbamate-protected precursor of antitumoral Nutlin-3a through enantioselective alkoxycarbonylation of meso -1,2-disubstituted-1,2-diaminoethane using enzyme lipases and dialkyl carbonates as acylating agents. A series of supported or free lipase enzymes were screened in combination with commercially available diallyl, diethyl and dimethyl carbonates. The reactions were conducted at different temperatures, for different reaction times and with variable co-solvent systems to evaluate the effects on the enzyme catalytic activity. The best results in terms of conversion, enantiomeric excess and yield were obtained when lipase from Candida antarctica B (CAL-B) was used with diallyl carbonate (DAC) when conducting the reaction solventless at 75 °C.