Candida antarctica lipase selectively catalyses transformations of die
thyl fumarate in organic solvents. A range of nitrogen nucleophiles, i
ncluding ammonia, can be succesfully used in these enzymatic reactions
, monoamides and monohydrazides being obtained in high to moderate yie
lds. In contrast, diethyl maleate is nor an adequate substrate for thi
s enzyme.