Expanding the toolbox of Baeyer–Villiger and flavin monooxygenase biocatalysts for the enantiodivergent green synthesis of sulfoxides

Abstract

Two new monooxygenase biocatalysts, the Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase BVMO145 and the flavin monooxygenase FMO401 from Almac library, have been found to catalyse the enantiodivergent oxidation of sulfides bearing N-heterocyclic substituents into sulfoxides under mild and green conditions. The biocatalyst BVMO145 provides (S)-sulfoxides while the flavin monooxygenase FMO401 affords (R)-sulfoxides with good conversions and high ee.