Regioselective Enzymatic Beta-Carboxylation of Para-Hydroxy-Styrene Derivatives Catalyzed by Phenolic Acid Decarboxylases.
Wuensch, C., Pavkov-Keller, T., Steinkellner, G., Gross, J., Fuchs, M., Hromic, A., Lyskowski, A., Fauland, K., Gruber, K., Glueck, S.M., Faber, K.(2015) Adv Synth Catal 357: 1909
- PubMed: 26190963 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201401028
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
4UU2, 4UU3 - PubMed Abstract: 
We report on a 'green' method for the utilization of carbon dioxide as C 1 unit for the regioselective synthesis of ( E )-cinnamic acids via regioselective enzymatic carboxylation of para -hydroxystyrenes. Phenolic acid decarboxylases from bacterial sources catalyzed the β-carboxylation of para -hydroxystyrene derivatives with excellent regio- and ( E / Z )-stereoselectivity by exclusively acting at the β-carbon atom of the C=C side chain to furnish the corresponding ( E )-cinnamic acid derivatives in up to 40% conversion at the expense of bicarbonate as carbon dioxide source. Studies on the substrate scope of this strategy are presented and a catalytic mechanism is proposed based on molecular modelling studies supported by mutagenesis of amino acid residues in the active site.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, c/o Department of Chemistry, Organic & Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrichstrasse 28, University of Graz 8010 Graz, Austria ; Department of Chemistry, Organic & Bioorganic Chemistry, Heinrichstrasse 28, University of Graz 8010 Graz, Austria, ; phone: (+43)-316-380-5332 ; e-mail: Si.Glueck@Uni-Graz.at or Kurt.Faber@Uni-Graz.at.