Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of α‐Amino Acid Esters in the Presence of Aldehydes

Abstract

Abstract A convenient procedure for the racemization of α‐amino acid esters in the presence of catalytic amounts of salicylaldehydes is described. The combination of this racemization protocol with lipase‐catalyzed ester hydrolysis allows successful dynamic kinetic resolution of various α‐amino acid esters. The corresponding α‐amino acids are obtained in high yield and optical purity.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)