Bio-catalysis represents a highly efficient and stereoselective method for the synthesis of valuable chiral compounds, however, the poor stability and limited reaction types of free enzymes restrict their wide application in industrial production. In this work, to overcome these problems, a multifunctional photoenzymatic nanoreactor CALB@COF-Ir was developed through the encapsulation of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) in a photosensitive covalent organic framework COF-Ir. This bio-nanocluster serves as efficient catalysts in asymmetric dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of secondary amines to give a series of chiral amines in high yields (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee). The well-designed COF-Ir not only acts as safety cover to prevent CALB from deactivation but promotes racemization of secondary amines via photo-induced hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process. Photoelectric characterization and TDDFT calculation revealed that (ppy)2Ir units in COF-Ir play crucial role in this photocatalytic system which enhance its photo-redox properties through facilitating the separation between photoelectrons (e-) and holes (h+). Furthermore, the heterogeneous photoenzymatic nanoreactor could be recycled for five rounds with slight decline of catalytic reactivity.
Keywords: chiral secondary amines; covalent organic framework; dynamic kinetic resolution; enzyme immobilization; photoenzymatic catalysis.
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