SCHIFF-BASES OF AMINO-ACIDS ESTERS AS SUBSTRATES FOR ENZYMATIC RESOLUTION OF L-AMINO-ACIDS

Schiff bases of the type: PhCH=NCH(R)COOEt, where R=Me, n-Bu, Ph, beta -indolyl, alpha-naphtyl, were used as new substrates for enzymatic hyd rolysis. These compounds, derived from ethyl esters of some 1), L-amin o acids and benzaldehyde, after hydrolysis with alpha-chymotripsin in the aqueous-organic medium without any buffer components were shown to yield L-amino acids (Ala, Nva, (Ph)Gly, Trp and naphtylalanine) which precipitated from the solution. Their enantiomeric purities were in t he range of 79-99%.