Synthesis 2025; 57(07): 1280-1294
DOI: 10.1055/a-2403-0760
short review

Enzymatic and Bio-Inspired Enantioselective Oxidation of Non-Activated C(sp 3)–H Bonds

a   Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona 17071, Catalonia, Spain
b   Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università ‘Tor Vergata’, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1 00133 Rome, Italy
,
Massimo Bietti
b   Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università ‘Tor Vergata’, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1 00133 Rome, Italy
,
Miquel Costas
a   Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, Campus Montilivi, Girona 17071, Catalonia, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Economic support from Spain, Ministry of Science (MINECO, PRE2019-090149 to AP, PGC2018-101737-B-I00 to M.C.), Generalitat de Catalunya (ICREA Academia to M.C., 2017 SGR-00264 and 2017 SGR-1707).


Abstract

The enantioselective oxidation of C–H bonds relies on two different approaches: the use of enzymes or bio-inspired transition metal catalysts. Both are powerful tools, as they transform ubiquitous C(sp3)–H bonds into valuable oxygenated building blocks. However, the reaction remains a challenge in synthetic chemistry, continuously demanding efficient catalytic systems to improve substrate scopes. Optimization of site- and enantioselectivities in bio-catalytic systems is underpinned by protein engineering, while ligand design and medium effects play crucial roles in bio-inspired synthetic complexes. In this Short Review, recent advances in the field are described, focusing on reactions that target strong, non-activated C–H bonds.

1 Introduction

1.1 Enantioselective Catalytic C–H Oxidation in Nature and Bio-Inspired Systems

1.2 Biological C–H Oxidation Mechanism and Challenges for the Implementation of Chirality with Synthetic Catalysts

1.3 Bio-Catalytic C–H Oxidation Systems: From Microorganism to Engineered Enzymes

1.4 Mimicking Nature: The Bio-Inspired C–H Oxidation Approach

1.5 Origin of Enantioselectivity

2 Enantioselective C–H Oxidation of Non-Activated C–H Bonds

2.1 Hydroxylation at Non-Activated C–H Bonds by Bio-Catalytic Systems

2.2 Enantioselective C–H Lactonization with Enzymatic Systems

2.3 Oxidation at Non-Activated C–H Bonds by Synthetic Catalysts

2.4 Enantioselective Lactonization with Small-Molecule Catalysts

3 Conclusions



Publication History

Received: 16 July 2024

Accepted after revision: 26 August 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
26 August 2024

Article published online:
07 October 2024

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