Heterogeneous Catalysts for Racemization and Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Amines and Secondary Alcohols

This paper gives an overview of the available heterogeneous catalysts for racemization of chirally stable secondary alcohols and amines, and of the combination of these catalysts with immobilized enzymes in dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) for production of enantiopure esters or amides. For the one-pot DKR process, compatibility of enzyme and heterogeneous catalyst is a major issue, and in some cases the combination fails because of (mutual) deactivation. Heterogeneous catalysts of various types, such as zeolites or oxides effect alcohol racemization; they function either via acid catalysis and carbenium chemistry, or via a redox pathway via the ketone. Dynamic kinetic resolution of aliphatic alcohols using a heterogeneous catalyst in mild conditions is however an open challenge. Heterogeneous amine racemization catalysts invariably operate using a redox mechanism via the imine. In this case, the scope encompasses benzylic and aliphatic amines. The practicality of the approach is illustrated with the production of enantiopure N-acylated homoserine lactones, which are signalling compounds in microbial communities.