Abstract: The invention relates to various new yeast strains of the type Yarrowia lipolytica as well as relevant methods for the biocatalytic preparation of ?-hydroxy fatty acids or dicarboxylic acids with the aid of these strains, whereby the formation of ?-hydroxy fatty acids or dicarboxylic acids is advantageously increased.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pheromone compositions. In some aspects, the compositions taught herein comprise a pheromone chemically corresponding to the pheromone naturally produced by a given insect, along with at least one positional isomer of said pheromone. In various aspects, pheromone compositions of the present disclosure are able to modulate the response of the insect based on the ratio of natural pheromone to its positional isomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods by which trans-(1R,2S)-2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-cyclopropylamine and related cyclopropane compounds are prepared using synthetic strategies that include a biocatalytic cyclopropanation step.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to an improved process for oxidation of alcohols containing oxidatively sensitive functional groups, using inexpensive reagents under mild reaction conditions to provide high yields of carbonyl products such as aldehydes or ketones. In certain embodiments, an aldehyde product is obtained by contacting an oxidatively sensitive alcohol, such as an alkenol, with an oxidant and a TEMPO catalyst under conditions sufficient to convert the alkenol to the aldehyde.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: and b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R1 is independently selected from H, C1-18 alkyl, and C2-18 alkenyl; R2b is C1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: and b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R1 is independently selected from H, C1-18 alkyl, and C2-18 alkenyl; R2b is C1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for synthesizing a fatty olefin derivative. The method includes: a) contacting an olefin according to Formula I with a metathesis reaction partner according to Formula IIb in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product according to Formula IIIb: and b) converting the metathesis product to the fatty olefin derivative. Each R1 is independently selected from H, C1-18 alkyl, and C2-18 alkenyl; R2b is C1-8 alkyl; subscript y is an integer ranging from 0 to 17; and subscript z is an integer ranging from 0 to 17. In certain embodiments, the metathesis catalyst is a tungsten catalyst or a molybdenum catalyst. In various embodiments, the fatty olefin derivative is a pheromone. Pheromone compositions and methods of using them are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for synthesizing pyrethroid compounds. The methods include forming a first reaction comprising an olefin and an allethrolone-type unsaturated alcohol under conditions sufficient to form a metathesis product and converting the metathesis product to the pyrethroid. Methods of the invention can be used to prepare compounds including pyrethrin I, cinerin I, jasmolin I, pyrethrin II, cinerin II, and jasmolin II as well as other synthetic pyrethroid compounds. Insecticidal compositions and methods for controlling insects are also described.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the present invention provides methods for producing terminally hydroxylated alkenes and alkynes by contacting an unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon substrate with a hydroxylase enzyme. Exemplary terminal hydroxylases useful for carrying out the methods of the invention exhibit strong selectivity towards one terminal carbon of a hydrocarbon substrate and include, but are not limited to, non-heme diiron alkane monooxygenases, cytochromes P450 (e.g., cytochromes P450 of the CYP52 and CYP153 family), as well as long chain alkane hydroxylases. In some embodiments, the terminally hydroxylated alkene or alkyne is further converted to a terminal alkenal. In certain embodiments, terminally hydroxylated alkenes and alkynes are useful as insect pheromones which modify insect behavior. In other embodiments, terminally hydroxylated alkenes and alkynes are useful intermediates for producing pheromones via acetylation or oxidation of the alcohol moiety.