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Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
A Sequential Umpolung/Enzymatic Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Strategy for the Synthesis of γ-Lactones
Mark A Maskeri1, Malte L Schrader1, Karl A Scheidt1
1Department of Chemistry, Center for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery, Northwestern University, Silverman Hall, Evanston, Illinois, 60208, USA.
Abstract:
Combining biological and small-molecule catalysts under a chemoenzymatic manifold presents a series of significant advantages to the synthetic community. We report herein the successful development of a two-step/single flask synthesis of γ-lactones through the merger of Umpolung catalysis with a ketoreductase-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution, reduction, and cyclization. This combined approach delivers highly enantio- and diastereoenriched heterocycles and demonstrates the feasibility of integrating NHC catalysis with enzymatic processes.
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