Engineered Heme Enzymes for the Biocatalytic Cycloaddition of Carbonyl Ylides and C–C Multiple Bonds

• Applicant: Dr. Susanne Bähr
• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry ; Biochemistry
• Term: from 2018 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 412008750

Engineered proteins turned out as potent catalysts also for non-natural transformations in the past. Within this project, directed evolution will be utilized to add cycloadditions to the scope of reactions that are catalyzed by heme enzymes. With the aid of a suitable protein, a 1,3-dipole will be generated from a carbenoid and a carbonyl compound. Subsequent (3+2)-cycloaddition results in the formation of tetra- and dihydrofurans, which we aim to obtain not only with high diastereoselectivity, but also enantioselectively. This unprecedented method for the asymmetric synthesis of oxacycles should be achieved through sequential site-saturation mutagenesis of the wild-type heme enzyme.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professorin Frances H. Arnold, Ph.D.