A facile preparation of (±)-β-hydroxy nitriles and their enzymatic resolution with lipases

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0957-4166(01)00058-1

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of racemic 4-aryloxy-3-hydroxybutanenitriles is described. Lipase mediated kinetic resolution in organic media was then utilised to effect enantioseparation. Lipases from different sources were screened in the resolution reaction using a number of organic solvents. Enantiomeric excesses of up to 99% were obtained by employing lipase from Pseudomonas cepacia in di-iso-propyl ether medium.