Biomimetic Oxidation Studies. 9. Mechanistic Aspects of the Oxidation of Alcohols with Functional, Active Site Methane Monooxygenase Enzyme Models in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

The syntheses of biomimetic complexes that mimic the major structural features of the hydroxylase component of methane monooxygenase enzyme (MMO) and, more importantly, that provide similar alkane functionalization activity, in the presence of an oxidant, have been of great interest to the discipline of bioinorganic chemistry. In this communication, we will demonstrate the feasibility of conducting biomimetic oxidation studies in H{sub 2}O with soluble substrates, i.e., alcohols (cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol), using H{sub 2}O-stable MMO mimics at pH 4.2, and the oxidant, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). Both the Mitusunobu procedure and the mesylate displacement reaction proceeded with complete inversion of the stereo-center and provided optically pure penultimate intermediate (>99.9% ee). The synthesis was completed by reduction of the nitro group under standard conditions to deliver LY300164 in 87%. In summary, we have developed an efficient and environmentally benign synthesis of the 5H-2,3-benzodiazepine LY300164 that provides the optically pure compound in 51% overall yield. Intramolecular hydrazone alkylation led to a remarkably facile and selective formation of the benzodiazepine. Furthermore, the application of resins to whole-cell-based biotransformations should find general utility for similar reactions that are complicated by component inhibition and product isolation. 11 refs., 1 fig.