Stereodivergent, Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Azaphilone Natural Products

J Am Chem Soc. 2019 Nov 20;141(46):18551-18559. doi: 10.1021/jacs.9b09385. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Abstract

Selective access to a targeted isomer is often critical in the synthesis of biologically active molecules. Whereas small-molecule reagents and catalysts often act with anticipated site- and stereoselectivity, this predictability does not extend to enzymes. Further, the lack of access to catalysts that provide complementary selectivity creates a challenge in the application of biocatalysis in synthesis. Here, we report an approach for accessing biocatalysts with complementary selectivity that is orthogonal to protein engineering. Through the use of a sequence similarity network (SSN), a number of sequences were selected, and the corresponding biocatalysts were evaluated for reactivity and selectivity. With a number of biocatalysts identified that operate with complementary site- and stereoselectivity, these catalysts were employed in the stereodivergent, chemoenzymatic synthesis of azaphilone natural products. Specifically, the first syntheses of trichoflectin, deflectin-1a, and lunatoic acid A were achieved. In addition, chemoenzymatic syntheses of these azaphilones supplied enantioenriched material for reassignment of the absolute configuration of trichoflectin and deflectin-1a based on optical rotation, CD spectra, and X-ray crystallography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benzopyrans / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzopyrans / chemistry
  • Biocatalysis
  • Biological Products / chemical synthesis*
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Pigments, Biological / chemical synthesis*
  • Pigments, Biological / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Benzopyrans
  • Biological Products
  • Pigments, Biological
  • azaphilone
  • trichoflectin