Kinetic resolution of vinyl carbonates through a lipase-mediated synthesis of their carbonate and carbamate derivatives.

Abstract

Lipase from Candida antarctica was used in the synthesis of different chiral carbonates and carbamates through the enzymic resolution of the starting racemic vinyl carbonates. A striking feature was the changeover of the enantioselectivity with regard to the one showed when vinyl carbonates were used in the resolution of alcohols and amines, thus the S enantiomer of the vinyl carbonate was resolved whereas the same enzyme was selective towards R ones when resolving alcohols and amines. In this way, compounds obtained beforehand as R carbonates were now achieved as S ones with better e.e.'s and shorter reaction times.