Preparative Asymmetric Synthesis of Canonical and Non-canonical a-amino Acids through Formal Enantioselective Biocatalytic Amination of Carboxylic Acids

Chemical and biocatalytic synthesis of non-canonical a-amino acids (ncAAs) from renewable feedstocks and using mild reaction conditions has not efficiently been solved. Here, we show the development of a three-step, scalable and modular one-pot biocascade for linear conversion of renewable fatty acids (FAs) into enantiopure l-a-amino acids. In module 1, selective a-hydroxylation of FAs is catalyzed by the P450 peroxygenase P450_CLA. By using an automated H₂O₂ supplementation system, efficient conversion (46 to >99%; TTN>3300) of a broad range of FAs (C6:0 to C16:0) into valuable a-hydroxy acids (a-HAs; >90% a-selective) is shown on preparative scale (up to 2.3 gL¹ isolated product). In module 2, a redox-neutral hydrogen borrowing cascade (alcohol dehydrogenase/amino acid dehydrogenase) allowed further conversion of a-HAs into l-a-AAs (20 to 99%). Enantiopure l-a-AAs (e.e. >99%) including the pharma synthon l-homo-phenylalanine can be obtained at product titers of up to 2.5 gL¹. Based on renewables and excellent atom economy, this biocascade is among the shortest and greenest synthetic routes to structurally diverse and industrially relevant ncAAs.