SELECTIVE MONOHYDROLYSIS OF ESTERS OF POLYAMINOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS USINGPIG-LIVER ESTERASE

Esters of a number of alpha- and beta-polyaminocarboxylic acids have b een selectively hydrolyzed to the corresponding monoacids using pig li ver esterase in moderate to good yields. For example, the tetraethyl e ster of EDTA is hydrolyzed to the corresponding monoacid using PLE at pH 8 in 4.5 hours in 86% yield. Enzymatic hydrolysis provides ready ac cess to this important class of synthetic intermediates.