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Updated: Aug 3, 2025

Enzymatic Cascade Reactions for the Synthesis of Chiral Amino Alcohols from L-lysine
Published on: February 16, 2018
A Catalytic Asymmetric Hydrolactonization
Rajat Maji1, Santanu Ghosh1, Oleg Grossmann1
1Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
Abstract:
Despite recent advancements in the development of catalytic asymmetric electrophile induced lactonization reactions of olefinic carboxylic acids, the archetypical hydrolactonization has long remained an unsolved and well-recognized challenge. Here, we report the realization of a catalytic asymmetric hydrolactonization using a confined imidodiphosphorimidate (IDPi) Brønsted acid catalyst. The method is operationally simple, scalable, and compatible with a wide variety of substrates. Its potential is showcased with concise syntheses of the sesquiterpenes (-)-boivinianin A and (+)-gossonorol. Through in-depth physicochemical and DFT analyses, we derive a nuanced picture of the mechanism and enantioselectivity of this reaction.
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