Synthesis of homochiralL-(S)-tert-leucine via a lipase catalysed dynamic resolution process

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(94)02408-4

Treatment of (±)-2-phenyl-4-tert-butyloxazolin-5(4H)-one 8 with Lipozyme (Mucor miehei) in toluene containing n-butanol and a catalytic amount of triethylamine resulted in a 94% yield of (S)-N-benzoyltert-leucine butyl ester 9 (99.5% e.e.). Subsequent two step hydrolysis (Alcalase followed by 6N HCl, reflux) yielded homochiral _L-(S)-tert-leucine 1.