Chemoenzymatic approaches to obtain chiral-centered selenium compounds

The synthesis of chiral-centered selenium compounds is presented. Enantioselective oxidations of these organoselenium compounds were performed using a wide range of biocatalysts, including Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases, oxidoreductases-containing Aspergillus terreus and lipase (Cal-B) in the presence of oxidants. Finally, efficient synthesis of enantiopure organoselenium compounds using a kinetic resolution approach mediated by Cal-B was achieved. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis of selenium-linked neoglycoconjugates and pseudodisaccharides

The introduction of organoselenium moieties within the structure of carbohydrates has received attention recently. Herein, we report on the synthesis of selenium-containing neoglycoconjugates and pseudodisaccharides by the reaction of nucleophilic selenium species, generated from sugar diselenides, with chiral N-Boc aziridines and sugar tosylates. The reaction proceeds with moderate to good yields for various substrates. The introduction of organoselenium moieties within the framework of various sugars, with increased levels of complexity, thus allowing the synthesis of disaccharide and glycoconjugate mimetics. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.