Synthesis and enzymatic resolution of racemic 2,3-epoxy propyl esters obtained from glycerol

Abstract

A method is described for the synthesis of (±)-2,3-epoxy propyl esters from glycerol, involving reaction of epichlorohydrin with sodium or potassium salts of carboxylic acids in the presence of TBAB as catalyst, with moderate to excellent yields. Kinetic resolution of glycidyl butyrate by lipase of Thermomyces lanuginosa has been achieved with remarkable enantiomeric excess (ee >99%) using 1,4-dioxane as a co-solvent in pure buffer solution (30 and 50°C, pH=7.0).