Efficient Synthesis of cis-4-Propylcyclohexanol Using a Mutant Alcohol Dehydrogenase Coupled with Glucose Dehydrogenase

Abstract

cis-4-Propylcyclohexanol is an important intermediate for synthesizing trans-2-(4-propylcyclohexyl)-1,3-propanediol, which is widely used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. In this study, cis-4-propylcyclohexanol was prepared using a mutant alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus kefir (LK-TADH, A94T/F147L/L199H/A202L) coupled with glucose dehydrogenase. Using the optimal catalytic conditions, 125 g/L (250 g) of 4-propylcyclohexanone was completely transformed after 5 h, and 225.8 g of cis-4-propylcyclohexanol (cis/trans ratio of 99.5:0.5) was obtained through extraction and rotary evaporation at a yield of 90.32%. This study reports a potential method for the green production of cis-4-propylcyclohexanol as the key intermediate of trans-2-(4-propylcyclohexyl)-1,3-propanediol at an industrial level.