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Arylmalonate Decarboxylase‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Optically Pure Flurbiprofen
Author(s) -
Gaßmeyer Sarah Katharina,
Wetzig Jasmin,
Mügge Carolin,
Assmann Miriam,
Enoki Junichi,
Hilterhaus Lutz,
Zuhse Ralf,
Miyamoto Kenji,
Liese Andreas,
Kourist Robert
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201501205
Subject(s) - decarboxylation , flurbiprofen , enantioselective synthesis , enantiomer , chemistry , catalysis , enantiomeric excess , yield (engineering) , combinatorial chemistry , naproxen , organic chemistry , materials science , pharmacology , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , metallurgy
Abstract The bacterial decarboxylase (AMDase) catalyzes the enantioselective decarboxylation of prochiral arylmalonates with high enantioselectivity. Although this reaction would provide a highly sustainable synthesis of active pharmaceutical compounds such as flurbiprofen or naproxen, competing spontaneous decarboxylation has so far prevented the catalytic application of AMDase. Here, we report on reaction engineering and an alternate protection group strategy for the synthesis of these compounds that successfully suppresses the side reaction and provides pure arylmalonic acids for subsequent enzymatic conversion. Protein engineering increased the activity of the synthesis of the ( S )‐ and ( R )‐enantiomers of flurbiprofen. These results demonstrated the importance of synergistic effects in the optimization of this decarboxylase. The asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers in high optical purity (>99 %) and yield (>90 %) can be easily integrated into existing industrial syntheses of flurbiprofen, thus providing a sustainable method for the production of this important pharmaceutical ingredient.