P450-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective oxidative hydroxylation of disubstituted cyclohexanes: creation of three centers of chirality in a single CH-activation event

Wild-type P450-BM3 is able to catalyze in a highly regio- and diastereoselective manner the oxidative hydroxylation of non-activated disubstituted cyclohexane derivatives lacking any functional groups, including cis- and trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane, cis- and trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane, and trans-1,4-methylisopropylcyclohexane. In all cases except chiral trans-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane as substrate, the single hydroxylation event at a methylene group induces desymmetrization with simultaneous creation of three centers of chirality. Certain mutants increase selectivity, setting the stage for future directed evolution work.