Enantioselective production of alpha-hydroxy carbonyl compounds

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention introduces a biocatalytic enzymatic process for producing optically pure (enantioselective) alpha-hydroxy carbonyl compounds from alpha-ketocarbonyl substrates. It utilizes specific enzymes (Gox0644 and Gox1615), derived from the bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans, to ensure both regioselectivity (choice of which carbonyl group is reduced) and high enantioselectivity (specific R- or S-isomer). The process also features efficient regeneration of the required cofactor (NADPH), making the production scalable and cost-efficient.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Production of chiral (optically active) intermediates for pharmaceutical synthesis, including drugs requiring specific enantiomers for efficacy.
• Manufacture of flavors, fragrances, and food additives that require alpha-hydroxy carbonyl compounds as building blocks.
• Preparation of pheromones, agrochemicals, and biologically active natural products.
• Asymmetric (enantioselective) synthesis in fine chemical industries, enabling more sustainable processes.
• Creation of chiral auxiliaries or synthons for further asymmetric chemical transformations.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables high-yield, enantioselective synthesis of valuable compounds difficult or costly to produce via traditional chemical methods.
• Reduces or eliminates hazardous chemicals and extreme reaction conditions, making the process environmentally friendly.
• Process can be performed with minimal use of expensive cofactors (thanks to enzymatic regeneration), lowering costs and resource use.
• Products have high enantiomeric excess (purity), reducing/eliminating downstream separation steps required for racemic mixtures.
• Enzymatic reactions are compatible with a variety of substrate types, offering broad industrial applicability.
• Facilitates green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing approaches in key industries such as pharmaceuticals and food.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a process for the regioselective and enantioselective preparation of ±-hydroxy carbonyl compounds from ±-ketocarbonyl compounds via enzymatic reduction.