PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF (s)-5-CHLORO-2-ISOPROPYLPENT-4-ENOIC ACID ESTERS

Abstract

A process for preparing a compound of formula (1) in enantiomerically enriched form, which comprises selective hydrolysis of the corresponding racemic compound (2) catalysed by an enzyme derived from a non-mammalian source and having esterase or lipase activity, wherein R is methyl or C 2-10 linear or branched alkyl.

1 . A process for preparing a compound of formula (1) in enantiomerically enriched form, which comprises selective hydrolysis of the corresponding racemic compound (2) catalysed by an enzyme derived from a fungus from the genus  Ophiostoma  and having esterase or lipase activity, wherein R is methyl or C 2-10  linear or branched alkyl. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein R is methyl or C 2-6  linear alkyl. 
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein R is methyl or ethyl. 
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme hydrolyses the opposite of enantiomer of compound (1) selectively, and unreacted compound (1) is recovered in enantiomerically enriched form. 
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme hydrolyses compound (1) selectively, and the resulting carboxylic acid is re-esterified to obtain compound (1) in enantiomerically enriched form. 
   
   
       6 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme is a wild type enzyme, a recombinant form of a wild type enzyme or a genetically modified enzyme. 
   
   
       7 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme is provided in the form of a whole cell, a lyophilised whole cell, a cell-free enzyme preparation or an at least partially purified isolated enzyme, which may optionally be immobilised. 
   
   
       8 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A process according to claim  12 , wherein the fungus is  Ophiostoma novo - ulmi . 
   
   
       14 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein enantioselectivity corresponding to an E value of at least 5 is achieved. 
   
   
       15 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein enantioselectivity corresponding to an E value of at least 15 is achieved. 
   
   
       16 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the final product concentration prior is at least 3 g/l. 
   
   
       17 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the final product concentration is at least 5 g/l. 
   
   
       18 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the final product concentration is at least 20 g/l. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled)