A biocatalytic cascade for the amination of unfunctionalised cycloalkanes

Abstract

Here we describe a one-pot, three-enzyme, cascade involving a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, an alcohol dehydrogenase and a reductive aminase for the synthesis of secondary amines from cycloalkanes. Amine product concentrations of up to 19.6 mM were achieved. The preparative scale amination of cyclohexane was also demonstrated with a space–time yield of 2 g L⁻¹ d⁻¹.