J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 11, 7191β7197
Publication Abstract
Photoenzymatic intermolecular hydroalkylations of olefins are highly enantioselective for chiral centers formed during radical termination but poorly selective for centers set in the CβC bond-forming event. Here, we report the evolution of a flavin-dependent βeneβ-reductase to catalyze the coupling of Ξ±,Ξ±-dichloroamides with alkenes to afford Ξ±-chloroamides in good yield with excellent chemo- and stereoselectivity. These products can serve as linchpins in the synthesis of pharmaceutically valuable motifs. Mechanistic studies indicate that radical formation occurs by exciting a charge-transfer complex templated by the protein. Precise control over the orientation of molecules within the charge-transfer complex potentially accounts for the observed stereoselectivity. The work expands the types of motifs that can be prepared using photoenzymatic catalysis.
