Biocatalysis for the preparation of optically active β-lactam precursors of amino acids

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0957-4166(96)00214-5

Enantioselective acylation of N-hydroxymethylated β-lactams in the presence of Pseudomonas sp. lipase afforded optically active precursors for the preparation of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-2-aminocyclopentane- and (1R,2S,3R,4S)- and (1S,2R,3S,4R)-3-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptanecarboxylic acids. Due to the high enantioselectivity (E = 90 and 62) and in order to minimize the enzymatic hydrolysis of the acylated products back to the starting alcohol, the reactions were performed in acetone.