Enantioselective, intermolecular benzylic C-H amination catalysed by an engineered iron-haem enzyme

Nat Chem. 2017 Jul;9(7):629-634. doi: 10.1038/nchem.2783. Epub 2017 May 29.

Abstract

C-H bonds are ubiquitous structural units of organic molecules. Although these bonds are generally considered to be chemically inert, the recent emergence of methods for C-H functionalization promises to transform the way synthetic chemistry is performed. The intermolecular amination of C-H bonds represents a particularly desirable and challenging transformation for which no efficient, highly selective, and renewable catalysts exist. Here we report the directed evolution of an iron-containing enzymatic catalyst-based on a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase-for the highly enantioselective intermolecular amination of benzylic C-H bonds. The biocatalyst is capable of up to 1,300 turnovers, exhibits excellent enantioselectivities, and provides access to valuable benzylic amines. Iron complexes are generally poor catalysts for C-H amination: in this catalyst, the enzyme's protein framework confers activity on an otherwise unreactive iron-haem cofactor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amination
  • Amines / chemistry
  • Amines / metabolism*
  • Biocatalysis
  • Coenzymes / metabolism
  • Hemeproteins / metabolism*
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Metalloproteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Engineering*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Amines
  • Coenzymes
  • Hemeproteins
  • Metalloproteins
  • Iron