Asymmetric Bioamination of Alcohols via Hydrogen-Borrowing

  • Matthew Thompson

Student thesis: Phd

Abstract

The value of biocatalysis lies in the unparalleled specificity with which enzymes catalyse reactions. This high specificity allows for synthetic chemists to rapidly build molecular complexity. Chiral amines represent an important structural motif and are found in numerous bioactive compounds. Developing environmentally benign routes to this class of compounds is of significant interest. Recently, a strategy known as “hydrogen-borrowing” has emerged as a way to convert cheap, readily available alcohols into chiral amines using an elegant, redox neutral biocatalytic cascade. This thesis describes the application of these hydrogen-borrowing cascades to the asymmetric amination of alcohols and the application of this cascade alongside other enabling technologies for biocatalysis. Protein engineering, surfactant-enabled chemocatalysis, enzyme immobilisation and the application of continuous flow are all interfaced. This thesis is presented in the journal format since a considerable body of the candidate’s PhD research has been published or prepared for publication in the near future. The research and review articles that have been compiled lend themselves to a clear narrative and their preparation took considerable effort.
Date of Award1 Aug 2018
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Manchester
SupervisorSabine Flitsch (Supervisor) & Nicholas Turner (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Directed evolution
  • Enzyme Immobilisation
  • Biocatalysis
  • Hydrogen Borrowing

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