Abstract
One of the most challenging aspects in the synthesis of chiral molecules is the achievement of products with high enantiopurity. This can be sought through asymmetric synthesis or resolution of a racemic form into its components (1). The resolution of racemic mixtures via enzyme catalysis is a highly studied and practiced methodology, and alcohols, acids and amines are routinely resolved with hydrolases in aqueous, aqueous/cosolvent, or organic media. The hydrolysis of esters in aqueous media is a procedure that has been utilized for a long time and changing the pH, temperature, or ionic strength of the medium can modify enzyme enantioselectivity. Another way to modify enzyme enantioselectivity is to add substantial proportions of organic cosolvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl formamide (DMF), t-BuOH, acetone, and acetonitrile (2) to the aqueous buffer.
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Ottlina, G., Secundo, F., Colombo, G., Carrea, G. (2001). Optimization of Enzymatic Enantiomeric Resolutions Through Solvent Selection. In: Vulfson, E.N., Halling, P.J., Holland, H.L. (eds) Enzymes in Nonaqueous Solvents. Methods in Biotechnology, vol 15. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-112-4:319
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-112-4:319
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-929-2
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