Regiospecific C–H amination of (−)-limonene into (−)-perillamine by multi-enzymatic cascade reactions

Abstract

Background

(−)-Limonene, one of cyclic monoterpenes, is an important renewable compound used widely as a key building block for the synthesis of new biologically active molecules and fine chemicals. (−)-Perillamine, as derived from (−)-limonene, is a highly useful synthon for constructing more complicated and functionally relevant chemicals.

Aim

We aimed to report a more sustainable and more efficient method for the regiospecific C–H amination of (−)-limonene into (−)-perillamine.

Results

Here, we report an artificial penta-enzymatic cascade system for the transformation of the cheap and easily available (−)-limonene into (−)-perillamine for the first time. This system is composed of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, alcohol dehydrogenase and w-transaminase for the main reactions, as well as formate dehydrogenase and NADH oxidase for cofactor recycling. After optimization of the multi-enzymatic cascade system, 10 mM (−)-limonene was smoothly converted into 5.4 mM (−)-perillamine in a one-pot two-step biotransformation, indicating the feasibility of multi-enzymatic C7-regiospecific amination of the inert C–H bond of (−)-limonene. This method represents a concise and efficient route for the biocatalytic synthesis of derivatives from similar natural products.

Keywords

CYP153A7 / (−)-Limonene / Multi-enzyme cascade / Regiospecific C–H amination / (−)-Perillamine / Transaminase

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Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China(2019YFA0905000)

National Natural Science Foundation of China(21871085)

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(222201714026)