Catalytical promiscuity of α-amylase: Synthesis of 3-substituted 2H-chromene derivatives via biocatalytic domino oxa-Michael/aldol condensations

An facile and green one-pot route has been developed for the synthesis of chromenes using salicylaldehyde and α,β-unsaturated ketones. α-Amylase from Bacillus subtilis shows excellent catalytic activity and exerts good adaptability to different substrates in the reaction. This promiscuous enzyme-catalyzed domino reaction not only extends the application of α-amylase from B. subtilis for new chemical transformations, but also provided an alternative synthetic method for 2H-chromene derivatives.

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► The catalytic promiscuity of α-amylase for the synthesis of 2H-chromene derivatives was developed.
► α-Amylase from Bacillus subtilis shows excellent catalytic activity.
► The oxa-Michael addition and aldol reaction could be performed in one-pot and catalyzed by a single amylase.
► A wide range of substrates could effectively participate in this reaction and gave desired products.