Enzymatic Routes for the Synthesis of Rhododendrin and Epi-Rhododendrin

Abstract

The synthesis of (R)- and (S)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyO-1-methylpropyl-β-D-glucopyranosides has been achieved by two enzymatic steps, namely an oxido-reduction step involving alcohol dehydrogenases from different origin for the preparation of both aglycones in enantiomeric pure form, and a transglycosidation step involving a thermophilic β-glucosidase from the archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus.

Key Words:

• β-glycosidases
• alcohol dehydrogenases
• enzymatic synthesis
• thermophilic enzymes
• natural products