Practical synthesis of L- erythro- and L- threo-4-fluoroglutamic acids using aminoacylase

Abstract

Enantiomerically pure L- erythro- and L- threo-4-fluoroglutamic acids 1a and 1b were conveniently prepared. The key steps in this synthesis relied upon separation of diastereomers of N-chloroacetyl-4-fluoroglutamic acid 5-methyl ester 7 by recrystallization and enzymatic resolution of enantiomers of the resulting 7(a+c) and 7(b+d) by aminoacylase. Protection of the γ-carboxyl group as a methyl ester was found to be crucial for this enzymatic reaction.