Process for the enzymatic kinetic resolution of 3-phenylglycidates by transesterification with aminoalcohols

A process for the preparation of:

• which comprises the enzymatic kinetic resolution of trans 3-phenylglycidates of formula:
• wherein
• R is linear or branched C1-C4alkyl;
• R1 is hydrogen, linear or branched C1-C3 alkyl, linear or branched C1-C3 alkoxy, aryl or halogen;
• by transesterification of the mixture of trans enantiomers of formula I catalysed by enzymes in organic solvent with aminoalcohols of formula:
• wherein
• n is an integer from 2 to 4;
• R2 is hydrogen or linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;
• R3 is linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl;
• or
• R2 and R3 together with the nitrogen atom form a 5 to 7 membered saturated cycle;
• to give a mixture of trans esters, non transesterified and transesterified, having an opposite absolute configuration, of formula III and IV respectively:
• wherein R, R1, R2, R3 and n have the above reported meanings,
• and the subsequent separation of such a mixture of esters of formula III and IV.