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One-Pot Conversion of Cinnamaldehyde to 2-Phenylethanol via a Biosynthetic Cascade Reaction
Amanda Vorster1, Martha S Smit1, Diederik J Opperman1
1Department of Biotechnology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
Abstract:
A novel biosynthetic pathway for the production of natural 2-phenylethanol from cinnamaldehyde is reported. An ene-reductase (OYE)-mediated selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde to hydrocinnamaldehyde is followed by a regioselective Baeyer-Villiger oxidation (BVMO) to produce the corresponding formate ester that either spontaneously hydrolyzes to 2-phenylethanol in water or is assisted by a formate dehydrogenase (FDH). This cascade reaction is performed in a one-pot fashion at ambient temperature and pressure. High selectivity and complete conversion were achieved.
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