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Biocatalytic Methyl Ether Cleavage: Characterization of the Corrinoid‐Dependent Methyl Transfer System from Desulfitobacterium hafniense
Author(s) -
Richter Nina,
Farnberger Judith E.,
Pompei Simona,
Grimm Christopher,
Skibar Wolfgang,
Zepeck Ferdinand,
Kroutil Wolfgang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced synthesis and catalysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.541
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1615-4169
pISSN - 1615-4150
DOI - 10.1002/adsc.201801590
Subject(s) - corrinoid , chemistry , ether cleavage , demethylation , ether , cleavage (geology) , cofactor , guaiacol , methyl group , catalysis , stereochemistry , organic chemistry , methyltransferase , methylation , enzyme , biochemistry , gene expression , dna methylation , geotechnical engineering , alkyl , fracture (geology) , gene , engineering
The ether functionality represents a very common motif in organic chemistry and especially the methyl ether is commonly found in natural products. Its formation and cleavage can be achieved via countless chemical procedures. Nevertheless, since in particular the cleavage often involves harsh reaction conditions, milder alternatives are highly demanded. Very recently, we have reported on a biocatalytic shuttle catalysis concept for reversible cleavage and formation of phenolic O ‐methyl ethers employing a corrinoid‐dependent methyl transferase system from the anaerobic organism Desulfitobacterium hafniense . Here we report the technical study of this system, focusing on the demethylation of guaiacol as model reaction. The optimal buffer‐, pH‐, temperature‐ and cofactor‐preferences were determined as well as the influence of organic co‐solvents. Beside methyl cobalamin also hydroxocobalamin turned out to be a suitable cofactor species, although the latter required activation. Various O ‐methyl phenyl ethers were successfully demethylated with conversions up to 82% at 10 mM substrate concentration.