A Protection Strategy Substantially Enhances Rate and Enantioselectivity in ω‐Transaminase‐Catalyzed Kinetic Resolutions

The kinetic resolution of 3‐aminopyrrolidine (3AP) and 3‐aminopiperidine (3APi) with ω‐transaminases was facilitated by the application of a protecting group concept. 1‐N‐Cbz‐protected 3‐aminopyrrolidine could be resolved with >99% ee at 50% conversion, the resolution of 1‐N‐Boc‐3‐aminopiperidine yielded 96% ee at 55% conversion. The reaction rate was up to 50‐fold higher by using protected substrates. Most importantly, enantioselectivity increased remarkably after carbamate protection compared to the unprotected substrates (86 vs. 99% ee). Surprisingly, benzyl protection of 3AP had no influence on enantioselectivity. A possible explanation for this observation could be the different flexibility of the benzyl‐ or carbamate‐protected 3AP as confirmed by NMR spectroscopy.