Asymmetric Reduction of Activated Alkenes by Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate Reductase: Specificity and Control of Stereochemical Outcome by Reaction Optimisation.

ABSTRACT: We show that pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase (PETNR), a member of the 'ene' reductase old yellow enzyme family, catalyses the asymmetric reduction of a variety of industrially relevant activated alpha,beta-unsaturated alkenes including enones, enals, maleimides and nitroalkenes. We have rationalised the broad substrate specificity and stereochemical outcome of these reductions by reference to molecular models of enzyme-substrate complexes based on the crystal complex of the PETNR with 2-cyclohexenone 4a. The optical purity of products is variable (49-99% ee), depending on the substrate type and nature of substituents. Generally, high enantioselectivity was observed for reaction products with stereogenic centres at Cbeta (>99% ee). However, for the substrates existing in two isomeric

SUBMITTER: Fryszkowska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2854813 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature