Chemoenzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically enriched α-hydroxyamides

A study on a chemoenzymatic synthesis of model α-hydroxyamide was performed. Special attention was paid to the optimization of the enzymatic process, both on the selection of enzyme and cosolvent. An intriguing influence of cosolvent on the enantioselectivity of Wheat Germ Lipase and Amano PS Lipase catalyzed hydrolysis was observed, as the results obtained proved that enzyme's enantioselectivity is directly correlated with cosolvent's hydrophobicity. In the best example (Wheat Germ lipase, Et₂O used as a cosolvent), the reaction proceeded with E = 55, and the target compound was obtained in 33% yield with 92.7%ee.