Hybrid Organo- and Biocatalytic Process for the Asymmetric Transformation of Alcohols into Amines in Aqueous Medium

A hybrid organo- and biocatalytic system for the asymmetric conversion of racemic alcohols into amines was developed. Combining an organocatalyst, AZADO, an oxidant, NaOCl, and an enzyme, ω-transaminase, we implemented a one-pot oxidation–transamination sequential process in aqueous medium. The method showed broad substrate scope and was successfully applied to conventional secondary alcohols and sterically hindered β-substituted cycloalkanols, where a highly stereoselective dynamic asymmetric bioamination enabled us to set up both contiguous stereocenters with very high enantio- and diastereomeric ratio (>90% yield, >99% ee, and up to 49:1 dr).