Regioselective Ring‐Opening of Styrene Oxide Derivatives Using Halohydrin Dehalogenase for Synthesis of 4‐Aryloxazolidinones.

A biocatalytic approach towards a range of 4‐aryloxazolidinones is developed using a halohydrin dehalogenase from Ilumatobacter coccineus (HheG) as biocatalyst. The method is based on the HheG‐catalyzed α‐position regioselective ring‐opening of styrene oxide derivatives with cyanate as a nucleophile, producing the corresponding 4‐aryloxazolidinones in moderate to good yields. Synthesis of enantiopure 4‐aryloxazolidinones is also achievable using chiral epoxide materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]