Synthesis of D- and L-phenylalanine derivatives by phenylalanine ammonia lyases: a multienzymatic cascade process.

ABSTRACT: The synthesis of substituted D-phenylalanines in high yield and excellent optical purity, starting from inexpensive cinnamic acids, has been achieved with a novel one-pot approach by coupling phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) amination with a chemoenzymatic deracemization (based on stereoselective oxidation and nonselective reduction). A simple high-throughput solid-phase screening method has also been developed to identify PALs with higher rates of formation of non-natural D-phenylalanines. The best variants were exploited in the chemoenzymatic cascade, thus increasing the yield and ee value of the D-configured product. Furthermore, the system was extended to the preparation of those L-phenylalanines which are obtained with a low ee value using PAL amination.

SUBMITTER: Parmeggiani F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4531825 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature