Improving the enantioselectivity of candida rugosa lipase in the kinetic resolution of racemic methyl 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(98)00422-0

Racemic methyl 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionate (±)-1, was subjected to hydrolysis in water and in a series of two-phase aqueous organic media in the presence of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). The biocatalytic material used was the commercial preparation and enzyme purified by using different procedures. The (+)-R- and (-)-S-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acids (3) were obtained in excellent yield and high enantiomeric excess when the hydrolysis of (}-1 was performed in water/benzene in the presence of 2- propanol treated CRL. The kinetic resolution of (±)-1 was scaled-up.