Asymmetric Hydrolysis of (±)-1-Acetoxy-2, 3-dichloropropane with Enzymes and Microorganisms

Abstract

Enzymes and microorganisms were screened for the enantioselective hydrolysis of (±)-1-acetoxy-2, 3-dichloropropane (1) which is convertible to epichlorohydrin. Pancreatin and steapsin from hog pancreas were found to hydrolyze (±)-1 asymmetrically to give (S)-1 of 90% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). From (S)-1 was synthesized the optically pure (S)-isomer of propranolol[1-isopropylamino-3-(1-naphthoxy)-2-propanol], one of the typical β-adrenergic blocking agents.