Synthesis of γ-halogenated and long-chain β-hydroxy-α-amino acids and 2-amino-1,3-diols using threonine aldolases

The l- and d-threonine aldolase catalyzed formation of γ-halogenated and long-chain l- and d-3-alkylserine-derivatives 1–12, respectively, was shown starting from glycine and halogenated C2– or C4–C12 aldehydes. lTA from Pseudomonas putida accepted all tested aldehydes with strongly varying diastereoselectivity (de up to 93%). Only aldehydes smaller than decanal were converted by dTA from Alcaligenes xylosoxidans with good selectivities (de up to 73%). Utilizing isobutanal enantio- and diastereopure d-syn-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4-methylpentanoic acid was obtained (ee>99%, de>95%), which was converted to the corresponding 2-amino-1,3-diol.