Nitroreductase enzyme technology

Johnson Matthey's innovative nitroreductase (NR) chemo-enzymatic technology can be utilised for reducing nitroaromatics to anilines. Is it an efficient alternative to hydrogenation when there is a lack of selectivity with metal-based catalysts.

The enzymes have been selected for their excellent activity on a wide selection of substrates and to accomodate the different synthetic needs of our customers [1]. Substrates accepted by the NR enzymes include aromatic and heteroaromatic nitro compounds. Our nitroreductase portfolio is an off-the-shelf solution that is available at-scale.

Obtain higher yields and purity in aromatic nitro reduction

More than 90% yield can be achieved [2].

Formation of side products can be reduced by combining NR enzymes with metal salts to achieve high selectivity.

The technology has been demonstrated to work with a broad range of substrates.

Yield results and substrate scope

Results for nitro reductions of the extended substrate panel by NR-14, NR-17, and NR-24 in the absence and presence of V₂O₅. Nine substrates gave more than 90% conversion to the corresponding aniline with at least one of the three NRs, while the remaining substrates gave 30-90% conversion.

Reaction conditions: 20 mM substrate 2, 1mM NADP⁺, 5 g/L NR, 2mM V₂O₅, 1 g/L GDH-101, 80 mM D-glucose in KPᵢ buffer (0.25 M, pH 7.0), 35° C, 16h. Percentage (%) values refer to uncorrected area (%) measured by HPLC.

NR-14, NR-17, and NR-24 were tested against a panel of the following substrates in the absence and presence of V₂O₅.