A GC-based method for high-throughput screening of enantio selective catalysts

By combining two gas chromatography instruments (each containing a column w ith a chiral stationary phase) with the proper robotics and software, it is possible to construct an instrumental configuration which makes possible h igh-throughput screening of the enantioselectivity of a given catalytic rea ction. As an example, the acylation-based catalytic kinetic resolution of r acemic 2-phenyl-1-propanol catalyzed by mutant lipases can be about assayed , 700 exact E- and ee-determinations being possible per day. The method is, therefore, of interest in the directed evolution of enantioselective enzym es and/or in the combinatorial search for asymmetric transition metal catal ysts. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.