Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter

Abstract Fluorinated compounds are scarce in nature, albeit they are in high demand in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Fluorinated amides serve as prevalent structural motifs in pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules. However, enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides remains...

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Main Authors: Chaoqun Huang, Xuerui Jin, Zhenyu Liu, Can Cui, Yang Zhang, Binju Wang, Chun Zhang, Jianqiang Feng, Dawen Niu, Yunzi Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60807-0
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author Chaoqun Huang
Xuerui Jin
Zhenyu Liu
Can Cui
Yang Zhang
Binju Wang
Chun Zhang
Jianqiang Feng
Dawen Niu
Yunzi Luo
author_facet Chaoqun Huang
Xuerui Jin
Zhenyu Liu
Can Cui
Yang Zhang
Binju Wang
Chun Zhang
Jianqiang Feng
Dawen Niu
Yunzi Luo
author_sort Chaoqun Huang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fluorinated compounds are scarce in nature, albeit they are in high demand in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Fluorinated amides serve as prevalent structural motifs in pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules. However, enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides remains challenging. Herein, we develop a visible-light-driven ene-reductase system that effectively generates carbon-centered radicals from fluorine-containing brominated amides. The system further enables their enantioselective hydroalkylation with alkenes, achieving high stereocontrol. Diversified α-fluorinated amides with high yield (up to 91%) and distal chirality (γ-to F, up to 97% enantiomeric excess) are produced by optimizing the reaction system and performing enzyme engineering. This work advances photoenzymatic strategies for the integration of fluorinated chemical inputs and creates an opportunity for the asymmetric synthesis of valuable fluorinated compounds.
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id doaj-art-a3a3f5930b6941b9a8b17a69f115d8d7
institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-a3a3f5930b6941b9a8b17a69f115d8d72025-08-20T04:01:36ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-60807-0Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenterChaoqun Huang0Xuerui Jin1Zhenyu Liu2Can Cui3Yang Zhang4Binju Wang5Chun Zhang6Jianqiang Feng7Dawen Niu8Yunzi Luo9Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, Tianjin UniversityFrontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, Tianjin UniversityFrontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, Tianjin UniversityFrontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, Tianjin UniversityDepartment of Emergency, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan UniversityState Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen UniversityState Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Tianjin UniversityInstitute of Molecular Engineering Plus, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou UniversityDepartment of Emergency, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital and School of Chemical Engineering, Sichuan UniversityFrontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing, Tianjin UniversityAbstract Fluorinated compounds are scarce in nature, albeit they are in high demand in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Fluorinated amides serve as prevalent structural motifs in pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules. However, enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides remains challenging. Herein, we develop a visible-light-driven ene-reductase system that effectively generates carbon-centered radicals from fluorine-containing brominated amides. The system further enables their enantioselective hydroalkylation with alkenes, achieving high stereocontrol. Diversified α-fluorinated amides with high yield (up to 91%) and distal chirality (γ-to F, up to 97% enantiomeric excess) are produced by optimizing the reaction system and performing enzyme engineering. This work advances photoenzymatic strategies for the integration of fluorinated chemical inputs and creates an opportunity for the asymmetric synthesis of valuable fluorinated compounds.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60807-0
spellingShingle Chaoqun Huang
Xuerui Jin
Zhenyu Liu
Can Cui
Yang Zhang
Binju Wang
Chun Zhang
Jianqiang Feng
Dawen Niu
Yunzi Luo
Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
Nature Communications
title Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
title_full Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
title_fullStr Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
title_full_unstemmed Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
title_short Photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
title_sort photoenzymatic enantioselective synthesis of fluorinated amides with remote stereocenter
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60807-0
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