A system for ω-transaminase mediated (R)-amination using l-alanine as an amine donorElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4gc02363c

• Main Authors: Richter, N, Farnberger, J. E, Pressnitz, D, Lechner, H, Zepeck, F, Kroutil, W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1463-9262; 1463-9270
• DOI: 10.1039/c4gc02363c

Chiral amines are important building blocks for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, various biocatalytic routes in particular using ω-transaminases (ω-TAs) have been developed recently. Although catalysts for the synthesis of both enantiomers are available, the application of alanine dependent ( R )-selective ω-TAs is less favourable due to the requirement of the more expensive d -alanine as an amine donor. Here we describe an efficient method for ( R )-amination using ω-TAs in combination with an alanine racemase (AlaR). In this case, the readily available l -alanine can be used as an amine donor leading to improved atom efficiency and significantly reduced costs. Introduction of an alanine racemase allowed the use of l -alanine as an initial amine source for the biocatalytic amination leading to ( R )-amines.