Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of 2‐Phenylpropanal Derivatives to Yield β‐Chiral Primary Amines <i>via</i> Bioamination

Abstract

Abstract The amination of racemic α‐chiral aldehydes, 2‐phenylpropanal derivatives, was investigated employing ω‐transaminases. By medium and substrate engineering the optical purity of the resulting β‐chiral chiral amine could be enhanced to reach optical purities up to 99% ee . Using enantiocomplementary ω‐transaminases allowed us to access the ( R )‐ as well as the ( S )‐enantiomer in most cases. It is important to note that the stereopreference of the ω‐transaminases found for α‐chiral aldehydes did not correlate with the stereopreference previously observed for the amination of methyl ketones. In one case the stereopreference switched even upon exchanging a methyl substituent to a methoxy group. magnified image