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

Abstract

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.