Preparation of optically pure 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐aryloxy‐propionates by selective enzymatic hydrolysis

Abstract

Abstract Selective enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic esters is an attractive method for the resolution of 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐aryloxy‐propionates. The non‐steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, naproxen, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen and the herbicides, fluazifop and diclofop, can be obtained in high optical purity with the aid of carboxylesterase NP. This enzyme was brought to high production levels by cloning it into Bacillus subtilis 1‐85. The unfavourable influence of a non‐specific lipase, present in the wild type rain, was also completely eliminated by cloning. The ability of the esterase under application conditions was greatly improved by chemical modification, the be results being obtained with formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and glyoxal.