Efficient kinetic resolution of racemic 3-hydroxy-3-(pentafluorophenyl)-propionitrile (+/-)-1 by a Lipase-catalyzed transesterification gave optically pure (S)3-hydroxy-3-(pentafluorophenyl)propionitrile (S)-1 and (R)-(+)-3-acetoxy-3-(penta-fluorophenyl)propionitrile (R)-1 [>99% ee, respectively, E = 1057], the former of which was further transformed into (S)-(-)-3-amino-1-(pentafluorophenyl)-1-propanol (S)-7 in four steps. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
CHEMOENZYMATIC PROCESS FOR STEREOSELECTIVE PREPARATION OF R- AND S-ENANTIOMERS OF 2-HYDROXY-3-(2-THIENYL) PROPANENITRILE