Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of chiral 2-substituted succinic acid derivatives

Prochiral discrimination by the biocatalyst Alcalase(R), an enzyme preparat ion of subtilisin Carlsberg, was used to effect enantio- and regioselective monohydrolysis of a variety of(RS)-2-substituted succinate diesters to aff ord the corresponding half esters in modest to excellent enantiomeric exces ses (>99%). Exploitation of malonate chemistry, as well as recycling of the unhydrolyzed isomer from the enantioselective hydrolysis, has resulted in a process which is both practical and economical. (C) 1999 Published by Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.