Artificial Arthropod Exoskeletons/Fungi Cell Walls Integrating Metal and Biocatalysts for Heterogeneous Synergistic Catalysis of Asymmetric Cascade Transformations

Abstract

AbstractA novel and sustainable tandem‐catalysis system for asymmetric synthesis is disclosed, which is fabricated by bio‐inspired self‐assembly of artificial arthropod exoskeletons (AAEs) or artificial fungi cell walls (AFCWs) containing two different types of catalysts (enzyme and metal nanoparticles). The heterogeneous integrated enzyme/metal nanoparticle AAE/AFCW systems, which contain chitosan as the main structural component, co‐catalyze dynamic kinetic resolution of primary amines via a tandem racemization/enantioselective amidation reaction process to give the corresponding amides in high yields and excellent ee. The heterogeneous AAE/AFCW systems display successful heterogeneous synergistic catalysis at the surfaces since they can catalyze multiple reaction cycles without metal leaching. The use of natural‐based and biocompatible structural components makes the AAE/AFCW systems fully biodegradable and renewable, thus fulfilling important green chemistry requirements.