First example of hydrolytic kinetic resolution of acrylate of secondary alcohols by lipase Amano AK

Lipase Amano AK is found to be extremely efficient catalyst for hydrolytic kinetic resolution of acrylates of secondary alcohols in aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.0. Both aliphatic and benzylic secondary alcohols show good to excellent E values.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► First report on lipase catalyzed hydrolytic kinetic resolution of acrylates of secondary alcohols. ► In this study, it is established that lipase Amano AK catalyzes hydrolysis of acrylates of secondary alcohol at pH 7.0. ► The method gives very good enantioselectivity. ► As the enzymatic reactions address numerous environmental concerns, the method is advantageous to homogeneous organometallic catalysis and organocatalysis. ► The applicability of the method is shown for stereoselective synthesis of (R)-5-Butyl-2(5H)-furanone, a lactone using Ring Closing Metathesis (RCM) strategy.