Cascade Reaction by Chemo- and Biocatalytic Approaches to Obtain Chiral Hydroxy Ketones and anti 1,3-Diols.

A chemo- and biocatalytic cascade approach was applied for the stereoselective synthesis of hydroxy ketones and the corresponding 1,3-diols. A new class of tridentate N,N,O ligands was used with copper(II) complexes for the asymmetric β-borylation of α,β-unsaturated compounds. The complex containing ligand L5 emerged as the best performer, and it gave the organoborane derivatives with good ee values. The corresponding keto-alcohol compounds were then bioreduced by yeasts. The biotransformation set up with Rhodotorula rubra allowed (R)-keto-alcohols and (S,S)-diols to be obtained with up to 99 % ee and up to 99 % de in favor of the anti enantiomers.

Introduction

Asymmetric transition‐metal catalysts and enzymes have emerged as the most effective synthetic tools for the stereoselective preparation of many chiral compounds. The possibility to exploit different catalytic approaches for enantio‐ and diastereoselective catalysis is a challenging topic in chemical synthesis, especially if control of multiple stereogenic centers is involved.1 Furthermore, the development of improved procedures by means of using less expensive, easy‐to‐handle, and more sustainable catalyst systems still remains an elusive goal.

Herein, we report a simple, inexpensive, and efficient catalyst system for simultaneous 1,4‐conjugate addition and reduction steps on α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds through base‐controlled transition‐metal catalysis or/and by using yeasts under mild conditions at room temperature. In our case, a cascade reaction allowed the asymmetric synthesis of differently substituted diols through the formation of the corresponding chiral keto–alcohols and diols by bioreduction. The first step is based on enriched keto–alcohol formation through CuII‐catalyzed asymmetric boron conjugate addition to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds.2 In contrast to popular protocols involving the use of chiral CuI for the enantioselective β‐borylation of α,β‐unsaturated acceptors, those involving the use of chiral CuII catalysts have been investigated only recently.

In particular, the complexation of Schiff base bidentate ligands with copper has been shown to result in compounds with interesting catalytic properties. On the other hand, organoboranes are known as extremely useful and versatile synthetic intermediates for organic synthesis3 that can also display biological activities. Here, for 1,4‐conjugate addition to carbon–carbon double bonds, we used bis(pinacolato)diboron [B2(pin)2], which is one of the most practical tools for the establishment of new C−B bonds through transition‐metal catalysis.4

To enhance the catalytic performance of asymmetric catalytic boron conjugate addition, tripodal ligands,5 based on the tetrahydroquinoline or quinolone scaffold, were incorporated into the CuII complexes. This successful combination led to keto–alcohol derivatives in an enantiomerically enriched form. A subsequent bioreduction step involving the use of different whole cells allowed the reduction of the keto–alcohol substrates to the corresponding enriched chiral diols,1a, 6 leaving the other isomer unreacted (Scheme 1). The obtained substrates are important building blocks in the synthesis of diverse organic molecules that are versatile elements in the pharmaceutical field.7

Scheme 1

Combining transition‐metal catalysis with a biocatalytic approach to obtain diols.

Results and Discussion

Considering the use of Schiff bases and their corresponding reduced amines as ligands in copper complexes for the asymmetric β‐borylation of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds, the tridentate ligands were easily synthesized starting from 8‐aminoquinoline and its chiral derivatives by condensation with salicylaldehyde in EtOH at room temperature for 5 h. Then, the corresponding amines were obtained by reduction with NaBH4 in a mixture of THF/MeOH at 0 °C for 1 h (Scheme 2). Chiral 8‐aminotetrahydroquinolines were previously synthesized and studied in our research group as ligands in metal complexes and were used as catalysts in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of different ketones with good results.8

Scheme 2

Synthesis of ligands. Reagents and conditions: i) EtOH, RT, 5 h; ii) NaBH4, THF/CH2Cl2, 0 °C, 1 h.

In the case of ligand L1, reduction to the corresponding amine did not proceed in the presence of different amounts of NaBH4 or by using Pd/C (1, 5, or 10 % molar equivalents) under a H2 atmosphere pressure, probably because of the extensive double‐bond conjugation of the substrate.

The copper(II)/L complexes, obtained by treating the ligand with Cu(OAc)2 in EtOH for 3 h at room temperature, were completely characterized. Crystals of the copper complex bearing ligand L1 suitable for X‐ray structure analysis were obtained by slow evaporation of a 33 % water/acetone solution at room temperature. The complex crystallized in the centrosymmetric P space group, with five molecules of water and one molecule of acetone, depicted as an ORTEP9 view in Figure 1. The complex is monomeric, and the central CuII atom is coordinated by two nitrogen donor atoms, one hydroxy oxygen atom, and one oxygen atom from acetone in a square‐planar arrangement. The bond lengths and angles are within the expected ranges. Ligand L1 is nearly planar with a maximum deviation of 0.026(3) Å for the O1 atom. The crystal structure is consolidated by an extensive network of water contacts, and this leads to the formation of supramolecular chains running along the a axis perpendicular to the ligands. In addition, weak Cπ−H⋅⋅⋅Owater intermolecular interactions contribute to stabilize the crystal packing.

Figure 1

ORTEP9 view of the asymmetric unit with an arbitrary atom‐numbering scheme (ellipsoids are drawn at 40 % probability). H atoms are shown as spheres of arbitrary radii.

Catalytic asymmetric β‐borylation was conducted starting from different α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Different reaction solvents (Et2O, MeOH, EtOH, toluene, water, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and THF) were evaluated in the presence of variable amounts of MeOH as a hydrogen donor (20–150 equiv.). With all catalysts, good yields were observed within 18 h by using 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propenone as a standard substrate. Catalytic experiments showed that the best results were obtained by using Et2O with 50 equivalents of MeOH at room temperature (Table 1).

Table 1

Screening of the copper‐catalyzed β‐borylation of the standard substrate.[a]

Entry	Ligand	Conversion[b] [%]	ee [%][c] (R)
1	L1	99.9	–
2	L2	99.9	rac
3	L3	99.9	12
4	L4	99.9	21
5	L5	99.9	45

[a] All reactions were performed for 18 h by using the Cu complex (5 mol %) in diethyl ether; c(substrate)final=28 mm, c(catalyst)final=1.4 mm. [b] Conversion was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. [c] Data were compared by taking the average of three independent experiments. Enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a chiral column (see the Experimental Section).

The enantiomeric excess was evaluated directly on the organoborane compounds by HPLC analysis. Assignment of the configuration was achieved by comparison with the corresponding β‐hydroxy keto derivatives reported in the literature after deprotecting the organoborane compounds with NaBO3 ⋅H2O in THF/water for 1 h. Considering that the best results were obtained upon using L5 as the ligand (Table 1, entry 5), the β‐borylation reaction was extended under the same reaction conditions to other α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds (Table 2).

Table 2

Asymmetric β‐borylation with a copper catalyst bearing ligand (S)‐L5.[a]

Entry	R	R′	Conversion[b] [%]	ee [c] [%] (R)
1	H	CH3	99.9	12
2	3‐Cl	CH3	94	15
3	4‐Cl	CH3	63	21
4	4‐NO2	CH3	–	–
5	H	C6H5	99.9	45
6	H	4‐NCC6H4	99.9	4
7	H	4‐F3CC6H4	99.9	13
8	H	4‐ClC6H4	99.9	11
9	H	3‐ClC6H4	99.9	37
10	H	4‐CH3OC6H4	99.9	7
11	H	3‐CH3OC6H4	99.9	30
12	H	2‐CH3OC6H4	99.9	50
13	H	4‐CH3C6H4	99.9	51
14	H	3‐CH3C6H5	99.9	21
15	H	2‐CH3C6H5	59	15

[a] All reactions were performed for 18 h by using the Cu complex (5 mol %) in diethyl ether; c(substrate)final=28 mm, c(catalyst)final=1.4 mm. [b] Conversion was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. [b] Data were compared by taking the average of three independent experiments. Enantiomeric excess was determined by HPLC with a chiral column (see the Experimental Section).

For all the chalcone derivatives (Table 1, entries 5–12), the β‐borylation reaction products gave very appreciable outcomes in terms of enantioselectivity, with the exception of 4‐(4‐nitrophenyl)but‐3‐en‐2‐one, for which the reaction did not proceed. Full conversion was instead generally observed upon using chalcone derivatives as starting materials; it was observed that if the substituent on the benzylic moiety was in the para position, the enantioselectivity decreased and was close to a racemate, apart from the methyl group (51 % ee; Table 2, entry 13). Therefore, different substituents in the ortho and meta positions were evaluated, and the enantioselectivity increased for the −Cl and −OCH3 groups going from the para position to the ortho position (Table 2, entries 8–12); on the other hand, the enantiomeric excess decreased in the case of the −CH3 substituent (Table 2, entries 13–15). These data agree with the proposed reaction mechanism, in that the substituent on the benzylic moiety plays a pivotal role in the nucleophilic addition step to form an O‐enolate in terms of steric hindrance or electronic properties (Scheme 3).4a, 10

Scheme 3

Proposed reaction mechanism.

With the aim to combine asymmetric chemocatalysis with biocatalytic reactions, the ability of yeasts to reduce the carbonyl group of the resulting β‐hydroxy keto derivatives selectively by biotransformation was then evaluated. Racemic 3‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diphenylpropan‐1‐one was synthesized through β‐borylation and deprotection by using a copper(II) complex containing L1 as the ligand, and it was used as a standard substrate for the screening of different biocatalysts.11 All reactions were performed in the presence of glucose (50 g L−1) as a co‐substrate with a substrate concentration of 2 g L−1 in phosphate buffer, and the biotransformation results were evaluated after 48 h.

The data show that good results were obtained for the biocatalytic reduction upon using whole cells of Rhodotorula rubra, Pichi etchellsii, Torulopsis magnoliae, and Torulopsis molischiana (Table 3, entries 1, 5, 11, and 12) as biocatalysts. As good outcomes ensued by employing Rhodotorula rubra either in the enantioselective reduction of the carbonyl moiety (97 % ee, 91 % de, 23 % yield; Table 3, entry 1) or in the bioreduction of the hydroxy ketone substrate (65 % ee), this yeast seemed to be the best candidate as a biocatalyst in the reduction reaction of different racemic 3‐hydroxy ketones, which were eventually obtained by β‐borylation and deprotection of the substrates reported in Table 2 by using a copper catalyst containing achiral ligand L1 (Table 4).

Table 3

Screening results for the bioreduction of 3‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diphenylpropan‐1‐one by yeasts.

Entry	Yeast	ee [a] [%](R)‐Hydroxy ketone	Diol conversion[b] [%]	ee [a] [%](S,S)‐diol	de [b] [%]Diols
1	Rhodotorula rubra MIM 147	65	23	97	91 (anti)
2	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	2	8	20	92 (meso)
3	Saccharomyces cerevisiae zeus	4	12	25	42 (meso)
4	Pichia henricii CBS 5765	rac	10	−84	66 (anti)
5	Pichia etchellsii MIM	55	19	99	85 (anti)
6	Pichia pastoris CBS 2612	34	8	70	97 (anti)
7	Pichia glucozyma CBS 5766	8	10	56	74 (anti)
8	Pachysolen tannophylus CBS 4044	5	89	29	74 (anti)
9	Kluyveromyces marxianus var. lactis CL69	24	7	87	96 (anti)
10	Kluyveromyces marxianus CBS 1553	16	10	93	78 (anti)
11	Torulopsis magnoliae MIM 42	74	28	74	90 (anti)
12	Torulopsis molischiana CBS 837	67	24	82	91 (anti)
13	Torulopsis castelli MIM 1705	39	7	36	42 (meso)
14	Torulopsis pinus 207	8	11	−15	58 (meso)
15	Sporobolomyces salmonicolor MIM	21	8	67	95 (anti)
16	Lindnera fabiani CBS 5640	7	9	77	91 (anti)

[a] The ee value was determined by HPLC with a chiral column (see the Experimental Section). [b] Molar conversion and de were calculated by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

Table 4

Biotransformation of different 3‐hydroxy ketones with Rhodotorula rubra.[a]

Entry	R	R′	ee [b] [%]Hydroxy ketone	ee [b] [%]Diol	de [c] [%]Diols
1	H	CH3	rac	55 (R,S)	64 (anti)
2	3‐Cl	CH3	70 (S)	84 (R,S)	29 (anti)
3	4‐Cl	CH3	47 (S)	22 (R,S)	75 (anti)
4	4‐NO2	CH3	10 (S)	43 (R,S)	46 (anti)
5	H	C6H5	65 (R)	97 (S,S)	91 (anti)
6	H	4‐CNC6H4	88 (R)	rac	61 (anti)
7	H	4‐CF3C6H4	85 (R)	82 (S,S)	44 (anti)
8	H	4‐ClC6H4	75 (R)	96 (S,S)	98 (anti)
9	H	3‐ClC6H4	44 (S)	37 (R,R)	89 (anti)
10	H	4‐CH3OC6H4	44 (R)	99 (S,S)	93 (anti)
11	H	3‐CH3OC6H4	53 (S)	52 (R,R)	75 (anti)
12	H	2‐CH3OC6H4	–	–	–
13	H	4‐CH3C6H4	72 (R)	97 (S,S)	85 (anti)
14	H	3‐CH3C6H4	10 (S)	98 (R,R)	95 (anti)
15	H	2‐CH3C6H4	–	–	–

[a] Substrate concentration was 2 mg mL−1. [b] The ee value was determined by HPLC with a chiral column (see the Experimental Section). [c] The de was calculated by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

Upon using methyl aryl hydroxy ketones, the results in terms of stereoselectivity were modest both in the formation of the diols and in the resolution of the hydroxy ketone compounds (Table 4, entries 1–4). In the case of biaryl hydroxy ketones, the best results were obtained with para‐substituted compounds in terms of molar conversion, whereas if the substituent was in the meta position, the yield decreased; the product was undetectable for substrates with ortho substituents. This behavior could be correlated to a change in steric hindrance of the substrate, as access to the active catalytic site could become challenging if the substituents on the phenyl ring were in a certain unfavorable position. The stereoselective control observed with the yeast seemed to confirm this hypothesis. In fact, the predominance of one configuration of the enantiomers changed between the para‐ and meta‐substituted substrates: in the first case, the dominant (S,S)‐diol underlined that the yeast followed the Prelog rule, whereas in the presence of meta‐substituted substrates, (R,R)‐diols were formed (ante‐Prelog rule) (Table 4, entries 6–8, 10, and 13 vs. entries 9, 11, and 14). Excellent results in terms of stereoselectivity were obtained with 4‐H, 4‐Cl, and 4‐CH3 substituents for biocatalytic ketone reduction (Table 4, entries 5, 8, and 13).

A cascade reaction was then set up taking into consideration the good results obtained with the biocatalysis approach as regards the molar conversion. Thus, compounds with or without a substituent in the para position of the phenyl ring were evaluated. The cascade reaction involved first β‐borylation/deprotection and then bioreduction. Although the enantioselectivity of the first step (chemocatalysis) was modest, this was an indispensable condition for bypassing the issue of negligible molar conversion into diols as a consequence of a probable substrate inhibition effect in the biotransformations. Different substrate concentrations were examined to avoid this inhibition effect. Furthermore, the biocatalytic reduction starting from the corresponding diketones did not proceed in terms of product conversion (5 % yield) or stereoselectivity. The organoborylation catalyzed by a complex bearing ligand L5 led to the organoborane compound with the R configuration and variable enantiomeric excess values (7–51 % ee). Subsequently, the solvent was removed in vacuo and NaBO3 ⋅H2O (3 equiv.) in THF/H2O (1:3, 50 mg substrate/1 mL) was added. After 1 h, phosphate buffer (0.1 m, pH 7, 50 mL), glucose (50 g L−1), and Rhodotorula rubra whole cells were added to the previous untreated solution to work with a final substrate concentration of 1 mg mL−1 for 48 h (Table 5).

Table 5

Cascade reactions.

Entry	R	ee [%](R)‐b [a]	ee [%](R)‐c [b]	ee [%](R)‐c [c]	ee [%](S,S)‐d	de [%](anti)‐d	Yield [%]Diol
1	H	45	65	96	99 (S,S)	95 (anti)	96
2	CH3	51	72	99	99 (S,S)	98 (anti)	98
3	CN	4	88	90	7 (S,S)	63 (anti)	78
4	CF3	13	85	88	83 (S,S)	46 (anti)	75
5	Cl	11	75	85	96 (S,S)	99 (anti)	98
6	OCH3	7	44	46	99 (S,S)	94 (anti)	95

[a] After catalytic β‐borylation/deprotection. [b] After bioreduction by yeast starting from racemic hydroxy ketone. [c] Cascade reaction.

From the data reported in Table 5, it was observed that in the presence of electron‐donating groups or hydrogen as a substituent, (S,S)‐diols were provided with high enantiomeric excess values (Table 5, entries 1, 2, and 6). Excellent ee values were also obtained for (R)‐hydroxy ketones, although in the case of the substrate with a para‐OCH3 substituent, we believe that the average ee value is due to steric hindrance generated by the lone pair of electrons of the methoxy substituent in the pocket of the yeast. Regarding the results obtained with electron‐withdrawing substituents, only low enantiomeric excess values were achieved in the reduction of (S,S)‐diols and in the resolution of (R)‐hydroxy ketones (Table 5, entries 3–5). In this case, it is conceivable that erosion of the biocatalyst performance is a result of the low enantioselectivity of the chemoreaction.

Conclusions

In conclusion, a cascade reaction combining transition‐metal complexes with biocatalysts was set up for the enantioselective synthesis of keto–alcohols and the corresponding 1,3‐diols. A new class of tridentate N,N,O pyridine‐based ligands was used for the first time in the β‐borylation reaction with copper(II) complexes to afford, in the case of ligand L5, keto–alcohols in enriched form with up to 51 % ee, which was crucial for setting up the subsequent biotransformation. Rhodotorula rubra, under optimized condition reactions, gave (S,S)‐diols (up to 99 % ee), and the S enantiomer of the keto–alcohol was consumed completely (up to 99 % ee for the unreacted R enantiomer) with both excellent enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities.

Experimental Section

Synthetic Procedures

General

1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra were recorded in CDCl3 by using a Bruker DRX Avance (300 and 75 MHz) spectrometer equipped with a nonreverse probe. Chemical shifts [ppm] are referenced to the residual solvent proton/carbon signal. Polarimetry analyses were performed with a PerkinElmer 343 Plus equipped with Na/Hal lamp. MS analyses were performed by using a Thermo Finnigan (MA, USA) LCQ Advantage system MS spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source and an ion‐trap mass analyzer. Mass spectra were obtained by direct infusion of a sample solution in MeOH under ionization (ESI+). Catalytic reactions were monitored by HPLC analysis with a Merck‐Hitachi L‐7100 equipped with Detector UV6000LP and a chiral column (AD, OJ‐H Chiralcel, Lux Cellulose‐4, Lux Cellulose‐2 or Lux Amylose‐2).

General Procedure for the Synthesis of Ligands L1–L3

8‐Aminoquinoline (1.2 equiv.) was dissolved in EtOH (10 mL), and salicylaldehyde (1 equiv.) was added at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for 5 h and then water (5 mL) was added. The organic layer was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3×10 mL). Anhydrous Na2SO4 was added, the mixture was filtered, and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The obtained product did not need further purification.

(E)‐2‐[(Quinolin‐8‐ylimino)methyl]phenol (L1): 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.99 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1 H), 8.95 (s, 1 H) 8,76 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1 H) 8.17 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1 H) 8.06 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1 H) 7.71 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2 H) 7.23–7.01 ppm (m, 4 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=164.6, 162.1, 150.5, 145.5, 142.3, 135.9, 133.3, 132.4, 129.1, 126.5, 126.2, 121.3, 119.6, 118.7 118.1, 117.6 ppm; FTIR (NaCl): =3468, 3368, 3050, 2917, 2894, 1661, 1617, 1372, 1150, 1114, 789 cm−1; MS (ESI): m/z=249.27 [M+H]+.

(E)‐2‐{[(5,6,7,8‐Tetrahydroquinolin‐8‐yl)imino]methyl}phenol (L2): S isomer: [α] =−42.13 (c=1.1 in CHCl3); R isomer: [α] =+42.05 (c=0.7 in CHCl3); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.63 (s, 1 H), 8.39 (d, J=4.67 Hz, 1 H), 7.43 (d, J=7.69 Hz, 1 H), 7.32–7.24 (m, 2 H), 7.12–7.08 (m, 1 H), 6.97–6.83 (m, 2 H), 4.56 (t, J=3.85 Hz, 1 H), 2.94–2.76 (m, 2 H), 2.15–2.04 (m, 3 H), 1.94–1.89 ppm (m, 1 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=164.62, 161.32, 155.02, 147.72, 137.58, 132.81, 132.35, 131.92, 122.84, 119.27, 118.77, 117.07, 68.19, 31.30, 28.82, 18.84 ppm; FTIR (NaCl): =3436, 3046, 2927, 1964, 1629, 1262, 1088, 1031, 803 cm−1; MS (ESI): m/z=254.0 [M+H]+, 276.3 [M+Na]+.

(E)‐2‐{[(2‐Methyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydroquinolin‐8‐yl)imino]methyl}phenol (L3): R isomer: [α] =−53.4 (c=0.4 in CHCl3); S isomer: [α] =+59.9 (c=0.5 in CHCl3); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=13.60 (s, 1 H), 8.60 (s, 1 H), 7.33–7.25 (m, 3 H), 7.04–6.84 (m, 3 H), 4.56 (s, 1 H), 2.88–2.63 (m, 2 H), 2.24–2.04 (m, 3 H), 1.94–1.87 ppm (m, 1 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=164.48, 161.43, 156.18, 153.95, 137.83, 132.26, 131.81, 129.50, 122.64, 119.37, 118.68, 117.10, 67.62, 31.31, 28.35, 24.34, 18.68 ppm; FTIR (NaCl): =3056, 2930, 2864, 2733, 2665, 1731, 1627, 1472, 1416, 1081, 757 cm−1; MS (ESI): m/z=267.21 [M+H]+.

General Procedure for the Synthesis of Ligands L4 and L5

The ligand (1 equiv.) was dissolved in MeOH/THF (1:1, 5 mL), and the mixture was cooled to 0 °C. NaBH4 (0.5 equiv.) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The solution was quenched with saturated NH4Cl solution (4 mL) and was extracted with CH2Cl2 (3×8 mL). The combined organic layer was dried (Na2SO4), and the solvent was evaporated. The obtained product did not need further purification.

2‐{[(5,6,7,8‐Tetrahydroquinolin‐8‐yl)amino]methyl}phenol (L4): S isomer: [α] =+20 (c=0.1 in CHCl3); R isomer: [α] =−24.2 (c=0.1 in CHCl3); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=8.39 (d, J=3.96 Hz, 1 H), 7.42 (d, J=7.62 Hz,1 H), 7.18–7.03 (m, 3 H), 6.84–6.76 (m, 2 H), 4.14 (s, 2 H), 3.86 (t, J=6.15 Hz, 1 H), 2.89–2.63 (m, 2 H), 2.22–2.15 (m, 1 H), 2.02–1.73 (m, 3 H),1.25 ppm (s, 1 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=158.01, 155.95, 146.87, 137.24, 132.63, 128.68, 128.33, 123.61, 122.38, 119.05, 116,49, 57.99, 50.79, 28.55, 28.44, 19.74 ppm; FTIR (NaCl): =3282, 2924, 1924, 1690, 1589, 1456, 1259, 1037, 754 cm−1; MS (ESI): m/z=256.1 [M+H]+.

2‐{[(2‐Methyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydroquinolin‐8‐yl)amino]methyl}phenol (L5): S isomer: [α] =−39.1 (c=0.6 in CHCl3); R isomer: [α] =+32.9 (c=0.3 in CHCl3); 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.31 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 (m, 1 H) 6.96 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 2 H) 6.83 (m, 2 H) 4.14 (m, 3 H) 2.47 (s, 4 H) 1.86 ppm (m, 4 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=155.7, 155.1, 137.5, 129.1, 128.9, 128.8, 128.0, 123.7, 121.9, 116.2, 57.9, 50.7, 28.7, 28.2, 20.4, 19.8 ppm; FTIR (NaCl) ν=3281, 2925, 2858, 1597, 1499, 1471, 1258, 1091, 1035, 816 cm−1; MS (ESI): m/z=269.15 [M+H]+.

Synthesis of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones

An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (30 %, 25 mL) was slowly added to a methanol solution (30 mL) of the appropriate acetophenone (1 equiv.). The solution was cooled to room temperature, and the appropriate benzaldehyde (1.2 equiv.) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and was then poured into water (100 mL). The obtained solid was filtered, washed with water until neutral pH, and recrystallized (ethanol). The chemical structure was confirmed on the basis of previously reported data.12

General Procedure for Asymmetric Boron Conjugate Addition

A mixture of Cu(OAc)2 (5 % mol), chiral ligand L1–L5 (6 % mol), and B2(pin)2 (1.2 equiv.) in Et2O (7.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. A mixture of the α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compound (1 equiv.) and MeOH (50 equiv.) in Et2O (2.5 mL) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. The mixture was concentered in vacuo, the residue was dissolved in THF/H2O (1.5:1, 4 mL), and NaBO3 ⋅H2O was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 h and then filtered. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (2×5 mL), and the combined organic layer was dried (Na2SO4). The solvent was evaporated, and the enantiomeric excess of the product was checked by HPLC analysis.

The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of 4‐hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutan‐2‐one, 4‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxybutan‐2‐one, 4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxybutan‐2‐one, 4‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐4‐hydroxybutan‐2‐one, 3‐hydroxy‐1,3‐diphenylpropan‐1‐one, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐phenyl‐1‐(p‐tolyl)propan‐1‐one, 3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, 3‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, 4‐(3‐hydroxy‐3‐phenylpropanoyl)benzonitrile, 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(4‐ trifluoromethyl phenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(3‐methylphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one, and 3‐hydroxy‐1‐(2‐methylphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one correspond to those reported in the literature.4d, 13

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.58–7.25 (m, 8 H), 7.12 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1 H), 5.35–5.31 (m, 1 H), 3.87 (s, 3 H), 3.37–3.34 ppm (m, 2 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=159.8, 144.8, 143.0, 137.9, 129.7, 128.5, 127.6, 125.7, 120.8, 120.1, 112.3, 55.4, 47.5, 24.5 ppm; MS (ESI): m/z=279.1 [M+Na]+.

General Procedure for the Biotransformation

The biotransformation screening was performed in 10 mL screw‐capped test tubes by resuspending the yeast cells in 0.1 m phosphate buffer (pH 7, 5 mL) containing glucose (50 g L−1) and adding substrate (2 g L−1) dissolved in DMSO (1 %). The mixtures were magnetically stirred at 28 °C for 48 h. The mixtures were extracted with diethyl ether (2×5 mL), dried (Na2SO4), and concentrated in vacuo.

The 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of 1‐phenylbutane‐1,3‐diol, 1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol, 1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol, 1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol, 1,3‐diphenyl‐1,3‐propanediol, benzoyl(4′‐methylbenzoyl)methane, and benzoyl(4′‐chlorobenzoyl)methane correspond to those reported in the literature.1a, 1b, 14

4‐(1,3‐Dihydroxy‐3‐phenylpropyl)benzonitrile: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.65–7.61 (m, 2 H), 7.48 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.46–7.28 (m, 5 H), 5.12–5.03 (m, 2 H, syn), 4.98–4.94 (m, 2 H, anti), 2.20–2.05 (m, 2 H, anti), 1.97–1.91 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=149.5, 143.6, 132.3, 128.7, 128.6, 128.1, 127.8, 126.3, 126.3, 126.0, 125.6, 125.4, 118.8, 111.2, 75.4 (anti), 74.0 (anti), 71.8 (syn), 70.9 (syn), 47.5 (anti), 46.3 (syn), 29.6, 25.3 ppm; MS (ESI): m/z=276.4 [M+Na]+.

1‐Phenyl‐3‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.61–7.57 (m, 2 H), 7.52–7.46 (m, 2 H), 7.39–7.25 (m, 5 H), 5.29–5.05 (m, 2 H, syn), 4.99–4.50 (m, 2 H, anti), 2.22–2.15 (m, 2 H, anti), 2.05–1.88 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=159.4, 143.8, 128.9, 128.6, 128.5, 127.9, 127.7, 125.9, 125.8, 125.6, 125.5, 125.3, 75.2 (anti), 74.2 (anti), 71.7 (syn), 71.1 (syn), 47.6 (anti), 46.4 (syn), 28.3 ppm; MS (ESI): m/z=319.0 [M+Na]+.

1‐(3‐Chlorophenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.40–7.20 (m, 9 H), 5.06–5.00 (m, 2 H, syn), 4.99–4.95 (m, 2 H, anti), 2.23–2.11 (m, 2 H, anti), 1.99–1.92 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=146.3, 143.8, 134.4, 129.7, 128.6, 128.5, 127.9, 127.7, 127.5, 125.9, 125.8, 125.6, 125.5, 123.7, 123.7, 75.1 (anti), 74.2 (anti), 71.7 (syn), 71.1 (syn), 47.7 (anti), 46.3 (syn), 22.8 ppm; MS (ESI): m/z=285.8 [M+Na]+.

1‐(4‐Methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.39–7.23 (m, 7 H), 6.86 (dd, J=8.72 Hz, 2 H), 5.02–4.96 (m, 2 H, syn), 4.93–4.90 (m, 2 H, anti), 3.80 (s, 3 H), 2.22–2.13 (m, 2 H, anti), 1.97–1.91 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=144.2, 136.4, 136.3, 128.6, 128.5, 127.6, 127.4, 126.9, 126.8, 125.7, 125.6, 114.0, 113.9, 74.9 (anti), 74.6 (anti), 71.7 (syn), 71.3 (syn), 55.3, 47.7 (anti), 46.5 (syn), 29.6 ppm; MS (ESI): m/z=282.0 [M+Na]+.

1‐(3‐Methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.40–7.18 (m, 5 H), 7.0–6.79 (m, 2 H), 5.30–4.68 (m, 2 H), 3.81 (s, 3 H), 2.21–2.15 (m, 2 H, anti), 2.05–1.89 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=159.8, 145.9, 144.1, 129.6, 128.3, 127.7, 127.4, 125.7, 125.6, 117.8, 113.2, 112.8, 111.1, 75.0 (syn), 74.9 (syn), 71.7 (anti), 71.6 (anti), 55.2, 47.7 (syn), 46.4 ppm (anti); MS (ESI): m/z=282.0 [M+Na]+.

1‐(2‐Methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.39–7.17 (m, 5 H), 6.90 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2 H), 5.01–4.95(m, 2 H, syn+anti), 3.80 (s, 3 H), 3.51 (br s, 1 H), 2.22–2.12(m, 2 H, anti), 1.98–1.89 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=159.1, 144.2, 136.4, 128.5, 128.4, 127.7, 127.6, 126.6, 126.5, 125.2, 125.1, 113.8, 74.9 (syn), 74.6 (syn), 71.7 (anti), 71.3 (anti), 55.3, 47.7 (syn), 46.5 ppm (anti); MS (ESI): m/z=259.0 [M+H]+⋅

1‐Phenyl‐3‐(m‐tolyl)propane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.40–7.05 (m, 7 H), 4.96–4.90 (m, 2 H), 2.35 (s, 3 H), 2.16–2.11 ppm (m, 2 H); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=144.5, 144.3, 138.0, 128.4, 128.3, 127.5, 127.2, 126.2, 126.3, 125.6, 122.6, 74.8, 71.4, 46.6, 24.8 ppm; MS (ESI): m/z=243.9 [M+Na]+.

1‐Phenyl‐3‐(o‐tolyl)propane‐1,3‐diol: 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3): δ=7.56 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 2 H), 7.40–7.21 (m, 5 H), 5.23–5.16 (m, 2 H, syn), 5.08–5.03 (m, 2 H, anti), 2.31 (s, 3 H), 2.17–2.07 (m, 2 H, anti), 1.98–1.91 ppm (m, 2 H, syn); 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ=144.2, 142.1, 133.9, 130.4, 128.4, 127.7, 127.4, 127.3, 126.4, 125.3, 125.5, 125.1, 75.2 (anti), 71.9 (syn), 71.4 (anti), 68.2 (syn), 46.5 (anti), 45.1 (syn), 18.9 (anti), 18.6 ppm (syn); MS (ESI): m/z=243.8 [M+H]+.

Analytical Conditions

The products were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy to determinate the molar conversion, whereas the diastereomeric and enantiomeric excess values were evaluated by HPLC analysis.

4‐Hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutan‐2‐one: S isomer: t R=21 min, R isomer: t R=18.7 min; 1‐phenylbutane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,R isomer: t R=16 min, R,S isomer: t R=17 min, (syn form) R,R isomer: t R=19.7 min, S,S isomer: t R=21 min; column: Lux cellulose‐4, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=5:95, flow=0.9 mL min−1, λ=216 nm; data recorded prior to TLC separation.

4‐(3‐Chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxybutan‐2‐one: S isomer: t R=15 min, R isomer: t R=19 min; 1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,R isomer: t R=11 min, R,S isomer: t R=15 min, (syn form) R,R isomer: t R=11.5 min, S,S isomer: t R=13 min; column: Lux amylose‐2, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=15:85, flow=0.5 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

4‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxybutan‐2‐one: S isomer: t R=18 min, R isomer: t R=20 min; 1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,R isomer: t R=14 min, R,S isomer: t R=24 min, (syn form) R,R isomer: t R=13.5 min, S,S isomer: t R=26 min; column: Lux amylose‐2, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=5:95, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

4‐(4‐Nitrophenyl)‐4‐hydroxybutan‐2‐one: S isomer: t R=72 min, R isomer: t R=65 min; 4‐(4‐nitrophenyl)butane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,R isomer: t R=33 min, R,S isomer: t R=35 min, (syn form) R,R isomer: t R=37 min, S,S isomer: t R=40 min; column: OJ‐H Chiralcel, eluent: ethanol/hexane=5:95, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=254 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1,3‐diphenylpropan‐1‐one: S isomer: t R=24 min, R isomer: t R=41 min; 1,3‐diphenyl‐1,3‐propanediol: meso form: t R=13 min, R,R isomer: t R=15.5 min, S,S isomer: t R=18 min; column: Lux amylose‐2, eluent: ethanol/hexane=10:90, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

4‐(3‐Hydroxy‐3‐phenylpropanoyl)benzonitrile: R isomer: t R=36 min, S isomer: t R=46 min; 4‐(1,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐phenylpropyl)benzonitrile: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=17 min, R,R isomer: t R=19 min, (syn form) S,R isomer: t R=8.8 min, R,S isomer: t R=9.6 min; column: Lux cellulose‐4, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=3:97, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(4‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: R isomer: t R=25.4 min, S isomer: t R=37.5 min; 1‐phenyl‐3‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=30 min, R,R isomer: t R=34.5 min; (syn form) S,R isomer: t R=49 min, R,S isomer: t R=51 min; column: Lux cellulose‐4, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=3:97, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

3‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: S isomer: t R=37 min, R isomer: t R=42 min; benzoyl‐(4′‐chlorobenzoyl)methane: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=34 min, R,R isomer: t R=21 min, (syn form) R,S isomer: t R=18 min, S,R isomer: t R=23.5 min; column: Lux amylose‐2, eluent: ethanol/hexane=5:95, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=220 nm.

3‐(3‐Chlorophenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: R isomer: t R=22 min, S isomer: t R=29 min; 1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=36 min, R,R isomer: t R=41 min, (syn form) R,S isomer: t R=62 min, S,R isomer: t R=54 min; column: Lux cellulose‐4, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=3:97, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: R isomer: t R=76 min, S isomer: t R=88 min; 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=46 min, R,R isomer: t R=50 min, (syn‐form) S,R isomer: t R=58 min, R,S isomer: t R=69 min; column: Lux amylose‐2, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=10:90, flow=0.8 mL min−1, λ=220 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: S isomer: t R=57 min, R isomer: t R=102 min; 1‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=43 min, R,R isomer: t R=48 min, (syn‐form) S,R isomer: t R=64 min, R,S isomer: t R=68 min; column: Lux amylose‐2, eluent: ethanol/hexane=5:95, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=220 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: S isomer: t R=12 min, R isomer: t R=19 min; column: AD CHIRALCEL, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=10:90, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=220 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐3‐phenyl‐1‐(p‐tolyl)propan‐1‐one: R isomer: t R=13.5 min, S isomer: t R=20.5 min; benzoyl‐(4′‐methylbenzoyl)methane: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=11 min, R,R isomer: t R=17 min, (syn form) S,R isomer: t R=16 min, R,S isomer: t R=10 min; column: Lux cellulose‐4, eluent: ethanol/hexane=10:90, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=216 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(3‐methylphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: S isomer: t R=14 min, R isomer: t R=11 min; 1‐phenyl‐3‐(m‐tolyl)propane‐1,3‐diol: (anti form) S,S isomer: t R=6 min, R,R isomer: t R=10 min, (syn form) S,R isomer: t R=21 min, R,S isomer: t R=24 min; column: Lux cellulose‐2, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=10:90, flow=0.8 mL min−1, λ=220 nm.

3‐Hydroxy‐1‐(2‐methylphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropan‐1‐one: S isomer: t R=12 min, R isomer: t R=13.5 min; column: AD CHIRALCEL, eluent: 2‐propanol/hexane=8:92, flow=1.0 mL min−1, λ=220 nm.

Cascade Reaction Procedure

A mixture of Cu(OAc)2 (5 % mol), chiral ligand L5 (6 % mol), and B2(pin)2 (1.2 equiv.) in Et2O (7.5 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 1 h under a nitrogen atmosphere. A mixture of the α,β‐unsaturated ketone (1 equiv.) and MeOH (50 equiv.) in Et2O (2.5 mL) was added, and the mixtures was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, the residue was dissolved in THF/H2O (1:3, 50 mg substrate/1 mL), and NaBO3 ⋅H2O (5 equiv.) was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 h. Rhodotorula rubra was then added to 0.1 m phosphate buffer (pH 7, 50 mL) containing glucose (50 g L−1) to work at a final substrate concentration of 1 mg mL−1. The mixture was magnetically stirred at 28 °C for 48 h. The mixture was extracted with diethyl ether (2×5 mL), dried (Na2SO4), and concentrated in vacuo.

Material and Methods

Microorganisms: Culture Conditions

Strains from official collections or from our collection were routinely maintained on a malt extract (8 g L−1 agar 15 g L−1, pH 5.5). To obtain cells for the biocatalytic activity tests, the microorganisms were grown on solid medium at 28 °C for 72 h, and then, they were cultured in 1000 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing the medium (100 mL, OD530nm mL−1=0.1 at t 0). The microorganisms were incubated at 28 °C for 48 h on a reciprocal shaker (100 rpm). The yeasts were grown on malt extract with 5 g L−1 Difco yeast extract, pH 5.6. Fresh cells from submerged cultures were centrifuged (4000×g for 15 min at 4 °C) and washed with tap water before using. The cells used in the screening biotransformations were concentrated in a ratio of 1:2.

Crystallography

Diffraction data for the crystal of complex/L1 19 were collected by means of a Enraf–Nonius CAD4 four circle diffractometer working at ambient temperature with graphite‐monochromated MoKα X‐radiation (λ=0.7107 Å). X‐ray diffraction data in the 2 θ range of 4 to 60° and in the (hkl) range ±h,±k,+l were collected by using a profiled ω‐scan mode with scan angles of (1.2+0.35 tan θ)° and prescan speed of 4.12° min−1. Accurate unit‐cell parameters were obtained by a least‐squares fit of the 2 θ values for 25 reflections in the 2 θ range of 30 to 40°. Data reductions (including intensity integration, background, Lorentz, and polarization corrections) were performed with the WinGX package.15 Absorption effects were evaluated with the psi‐scan method,16 and absorption correction was applied to the data (min/max transmission factors were 0.808/0.924). The structure was solved by direct methods (SIR‐97)17 and were completed by iterative cycles of full‐matrix least‐squares refinement on F o 2 and ΔF synthesis by using the SHELXL‐9718 program (WinGX suite). All non‐hydrogen atoms were refined anisotropically. The positions of the H atoms were detected in a difference Fourier and were refined with isotropic thermal factors or were introduced in calculated positions in their described geometries and allowed to ride on the attached carbon atom with fixed isotropic thermal parameters.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.