Asymmetric assembly of high-value α-functionalized organic acids using a biocatalytic chiral-group-resetting process.

ABSTRACT: The preparation of α-functionalized organic acids can be greatly simplified by adopting a protocol involving the catalytic assembly of achiral building blocks. However, the enzymatic assembly of small amino acids and aldehydes to form numerous α-functionalized organic acids is highly desired and remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report an artificially designed chiral-group-resetting biocatalytic process, which uses simple achiral glycine and aldehydes to synthesize stereodefined α-functionalized organic acids. This cascade biocatalysis comprises a basic module and three different extender modules and operates in a modular assembly manner. The engineered Escherichia coli catalysts, which contained different module(s), provide access to α-keto acids, α-hydroxy acids, and α-amino ac

SUBMITTER: Song W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6145935 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature