Stereoselective transformations of α-trifluoromethylated ketoximes to optically active amines by enzyme-nanometal cocatalysis: Synthesis of (s)-inhibitor of phenylethanolamine n-methyltransferase

One-pot cascade synthesis of optically active α-trifluoromethylated amines directly from ketoximes was accomplished with the use of Candida antarctica lipase B and catalysts prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Compared to the commercial palladium catalyst, the ALD-prepared catalysts showed much higher activity and afforded various α-trifluoromethylated amides in good yields and with high enantioselectivity. One of the enantiopure amides was further hydrolyzed into the corresponding amine, which was treated as a crucial starting material for total synthesis of (S)-inhibitor of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase without loss of chiral information.