Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2026

Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
Unspecific Peroxygenase-Based Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of Amino Alcohols for Pharmaceutical Preparation
Simon Last1, Alina Gazizova1, Katharina Wittmann1
1Institute for Chemistry, Biocatalysis Group, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
Abstract:
This study explores the use of unspecific peroxygenases for the enantioselective preparation of amino alcohol-based pharmaceuticals and their respective precursors. The aim of this work was to develop a practical concept by simplifying the otherwise complex synthesis approach, thereby expanding the application of unspecific peroxygenases toward chemo-enzymatic synthesis. To introduce hydroxy groups at specific positions within protected amines, the unspecific peroxygenase (UPO) was used, which facilitated the enantioselective synthesis toward shorter overall reaction pathways and thus may serve as an addition to the preparative toolbox with this type of enzyme.
Related Concept Videos
Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Preparation of Alcohols via Addition Reactions
The acid-catalyzed addition of water to the double bond of alkenes is a large-scale industrial method used to synthesize low-molecular-weight alcohols. An acidic atmosphere is required to allow the hydrogen in the water molecule to act as an electrophile and attack the double bond in an alkene. The addition of a proton to the double bond creates a carbocation intermediate. The proton preferentially bonds to the less substituted end of the double bond to create a more stable carbocation...
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Alcohols, Alkenes, and Alkynes
Preparation of Amines: Reduction of Oximes and Nitro Compounds
Though catalytic hydrogenation can reduce nitrobenzenes, the reduction is nonselective in the presence of other functional groups. For instance, if nitrobenzene contains an aldehyde group,...
Preparation of 1° Amines: Gabriel Synthesis
Strong bases like NaOH or KOH deprotonate the phthalimide to form the corresponding anion, which acts as a nucleophile. Further, the anion attacks an...

