Enzyme mediated optical resolution of endo-norbornene lactone

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)97284-8

The enzymatic resolution of some norbornene esters, -carboxylic acids and -methanols was evaluated. Good results were obtained for the Porcine Pancreatic Lipase (PPL) catalyzed transesterification of norbornene methanols 12 and 13 in methyl acetate. A formal kinetic resolution of endo-norbornene lactone 7 could be achieved through the PPL-catalyzed transesterification of iodolactone 15 in methyl acetate. Both enantiomers of lactone 7 were obtained enantiomerically pure in good overall yields.