Regioselective hydrolysis of diesters of ( Z)- and ( E) -2-methyl-butenedioic acids by PLE

Abstract

Dimethyl, diethyl and dipropyl esters of ( Z) - and ( E)-2-methyl-butenedioic acids (citraconic and mesaconic acid) were hydrolysed by pig live esterase, PLE. For the diethyl esters the enzyme showed low regioselectivity for both the ( Z)- and the ( E)-isomers. However, the hydrolysis of dimethyl and dipropyl ( Z)-2-methyl-butenedioic acid gave a ratio of the monoesters of 95:5 and 85:15.