Pilar Hoyos

2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF): A Biomass-Derived Solvent with Broad Application in Organic Chemistry

2-Methyl-tetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) can be derived from renewable resources (e.g., furfural or levulinic acid) and is a promising alternative solvent in the search for environmentally benign synthesis strategies. Its physical and chemical properties, such as its low miscibility with water, boiling point, remarkable stability compared to other cyclic-based solvents such as THF, and others make it appealing for applications in syntheses involving organometallics, organocatalysis, and biotransformations or for processing lignocellulosic materials. Interestingly, a significant number of industries have also started to assess 2-MeTHF in several synthetic procedures, often with excellent results and prospects. Likewise, preliminary toxicology assessments suggest that the use of 2-MeTHF might even be extended to more processes in pharmaceutical chemistry. This Minireview describes the properties of 2-MeTHF, the state-of-the-art of its use in synthesis, and covers several outstanding examples of its application from both industry and academia.

Biocatalytic Strategies for the Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Hydroxy Ketones

The development of efficient syntheses for enantiomerically enriched alpha-hydroxy ketones is an important research focus in the pharmaceutical industry. For example, alpha-hydroxy ketones are found in antidepressants, in selective inhibitors of amyloid-beta protein production (used in the treatment of Alzheimers), in farnesyl transferase inhibitors (Kurasoin A and B), and in antitumor antibiotics (Olivomycin A and Chromomycin A3). Moreover, alpha-hydroxy ketones are of particular value as fine chemicals because of their utility as building blocks for the production of larger molecules. They can also be used in preparing many other important structures, such as amino alcohols, diols, and so forth. Several purely chemical synthetic approaches have been proposed to afford these compounds, together with some organocatalytic strategies (thiazolium-based carboligations, proline alpha-hydroxylations, and so forth). However, many of these chemical approaches are not straightforward, lack selectivity, or are economically unattractive because of the large number of chemical steps required (usually combined with low enantioselectivities). In this Account, we describe three different biocatalytic approaches that have been developed to efficiently produce alpha-hydroxy ketones: (i) The use of thiamine diphosphate-dependent lyases (ThDP-lyases) to catalyze the umpolung carboligation of aldehydes. Enantiopure alpha-hydroxy ketones are formed from inexpensive aldehydes with this method. Some lyases with a broad substrate spectrum have been successfully characterized. Furthermore, the use of biphasic media with recombinant whole cells overexpressing lyases leads to productivities of approximately 80-100 g/L with high enantiomeric excesses (up to >99%). (ii) The use of hydrolases to produce alpha-hydroxy ketones by means of (in situ) dynamic kinetic resolutions (DKRs). Lipases are able to successfully resolve racemates, and many outstanding examples have been reported. However, this approach leads to a maximum theoretical yield of 50%. As a means of overcoming this problem, these traditional lipase-catalyzed kinetic resolutions are combined with racemization of remnant substrate, which can be done in situ or in separate compartments. Examples showing high conversions (>90%) and enantiomeric excesses (>99%) are described. (iii) Whole-cell redox processes, catalyzed by several microorganisms, either by means of free enzymes (applying a cofactor regeneration system) or by whole cells. Through the use of redox machineries, different strategies can lead to high yields and enantiomeric excesses. Some enantiopure alpha-hydroxy ketones can be formed by reductions of diketones and by selective oxidations of vicinal diols. Likewise, some redox processes involving sugar chemistry (involving alpha-hydroxy ketones) have been developed on the industrial scale. Finally, the redox whole-cell concept allows racemizations (and deracemizations) as well. These three strategies provide a useful and environmentally friendly synthetic toolbox. Likewise, the field represents an illustrative example of how biocatalysis can assist practical synthetic processes, and how problems derived from the integration of natural tools in synthetic pathways can be efficiently tackled to afford high yields and enantioselectivities.

2-Methyltetrahydrofuran as a suitable green solvent for phthalimide functionalization promoted by supported KF

An efficient chemoselective nitrogen functionalization of phthalimides by using KF-Alumina in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, a solvent obtained from renewal sources, is described.

Chemoselective CaO-mediated acylation of alcohols and amines in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran.

Calcium oxide is proposed as an innocuous acid scavenger for the chemoselective synthesis of amide- and ester-type compounds. Although these molecules have wide spread applications in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry, and a large number of routes have been designed for their synthesis, the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly acylation strategies remains an ongoing challenge. The use of CaO allows for the stoichiometric acylation of primary alcohols in the presence of phenols or tertiary alcohols; amines can also be subjected to acylation reactions in the presence of hydroxyl groups. Chirality is obtained through acylation if the starting material is an optically pure alcohol or if a chiral acylating agent is used. Furthermore, the use of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), a more ecofriendly solvent, leads to maximized yields. This protocol is successfully applied to the synthesis of an interesting N-aryloxazolidin-2-one intermediate for the preparation of linezolid-type compounds.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of carbohydrates as antidiabetic and anticancer drugs.

Different chemoenzymatic strategies for the preparation of carbohydrates and analogues possessing antidiabetic or anticancer activity are summarized. In this sense, some examples illustrating the use of enzymes such as aldolases, lipases or glycosidases (in some cases improved by genetic engineering techniques) are presented, showing the advantages of the implementation of chemoenzymatic protocols, which combine the flexibility of chemical synthesis with the efficiency, selectivity and sustainability of biotransformations to obtain diverse complex carbohydrates, glycoconjugates and glycomimetics.

Enzymatic synthesis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates using lipases and glycosidases in green solvents

Abstract The wide use of carbohydrate-based compounds is the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, detergent and food industry has led to the development of efficient synthetic procedures to overcome many drawbacks of conventional synthetic methodologies such as protection/activation/deprotection steps. In this context, due to their high chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity, enzymes offer very effective and sustainable possibilities, and thus, they are increasingly used in carbohydrate field. In addition, the combination of biocatalysis and the use of green solvents is becoming a real alternative, as many solvents provide interactions with enzymes improving their catalytic behaviour, and they both directly contribute to increase the processes sustainability. This review will provide recent examples of the enzymatic preparation of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates using a combination of hydrolases (lipase and glycosidases) and green solvents.