Enzymatic Preparation of (R)-3-Hydroxy-2-Methylpropyl Butyrate by Asymmetric Hydrolysis

Abstract
(R)-3-Hydroxy-2-methylpropyl butyrate was formed by asymmetric hydrolysis of the corresponding prochiral diester with lipase P (Amano) in high enantiomeric excess. Various physical and chemical reaction parameters were altered in order to optimize the stereoselectivity of the enzymatic reaction; low temperature (0d`C) combined with the application of salting-in salts or (polyhydric) alcohols turned out to be the most suitable systems providing the monobutyrate in 96% ee. Attempts towards chiral monobutyrate by enzymatic esterification of the corresponding prochiral diol were unsuccessful.

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