Varying the Directionality of Protein Catalysts for Aldol and Retro-Aldol Reactions.

Natural aldolase enzymes and created retro-aldolase protein catalysts often catalyze both aldol and retro-aldol reactions depending on the concentrations of the reactants and the products. Here, we report that the directionality of protein catalysts can be altered by replacing one amino acid. The protein catalyst derived from a scaffold of a previously reported retro-aldolase catalyst, catalyzed aldol reactions more efficiently than the previously reported retro-aldolase catalyst.

Intramolecular Mannich and Michael Annulation Reactions of Lactam Derivatives Bearing Enals To Afford Bicyclic N-Heterocycles.

Acid-catalyzed intramolecular vinylogous Mannich reactions and intramolecular Michael reactions affording pyrrolizinone-fused N-heterocycles from hydroxylactam derivatives bearing enals have been developed. Depending on the substituent on the hydroxylactam, the enal moiety acted either as a nucleophile (i.e.