Discovery and Applications of Enzymes for the Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure Non-Proteinogenic Amino Acids

Dr K. Holt, Dowpharma UK

Dr Holt gave an overview of the use of enzymes in the preparation of unnatural amino acids.  Several enzyme sources were covered including commercial sources, an in-house culture collection, external collaborations and selective enrichment.  Examples described included the resolution of (±)-N-acylpropargyl glycine and the use of integrating biocatalysis with conventional chemical technology to produce amino acids such as neopentyl glycine in high ee.  Some examples of the application of this technology were presented including the elaboration allyl glycine in to 4-hydroxpipecolates and the synthesis of bulgecinine, both of which are shown below.