Biocatalytic Synthesis of Metaxalone and Its Analogues

Org Lett. 2023 Jul 14;25(27):5049-5054. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c01752. Epub 2023 Jul 5.

Abstract

A biocatalytic approach for the synthesis of metaxalone and its analogues was developed based on the reaction of epoxides and cyanate catalyzed by halohydrin dehalogenase. Gram-scale synthesis of chiral and racemic metaxalone was achieved with 44% (98% ee) and 81% yields, respectively, by protein engineering of the halohydrin dehalogenase HHDHamb from Acidimicrobiia bacterium. Additionally, various metaxalone analogues were synthesized at 28-40% yields (90-99% ee) for chiral forms and 77-92% yields for racemic forms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria
  • Biocatalysis
  • Oxazolidinones*
  • Protein Engineering*

Substances

  • metaxalone
  • Oxazolidinones