A one‐pot process for synthesis of mitomycin analogs catalyzed by laccase/lipase optimized by response surface methodology

To reach the excellent yield as well as environmental friendliness, an efficient one-pot process for the synthesis of 2-methyl-3-n-butylaminoyl-1,4-benzoquinone, a mitomycin-like compound by the domino reaction of 2-methyl-1,4-hydroquinone and butylamine using laccase/lipase as co-catalysts, has been developed. In this present study, the process proposed here was further improved by optimizing the relevant factors using the response surface methodology based on Box-Benkhen Design. The optimum condition that afforded the highest yield (98%) of 2-methyl-3-n-butylaminoyl-1,4-benzoquinone was obtained as follows: molar ratio of amines to hydroquinones 1.16:1, activity ratio of laccase to lipase 1.14:2, and reaction temperature 38.9°C. The results obtained indicate that this process may be useful as a green alternative method for higher yield production of mitomycin analogs.