Process for producing optically active amino compounds

A method for preparing an optically active (R)-amino compound comprising the step of stereoselectively carrying out amino group transfer by action of an (R)-form-specific transaminase in the co-presence of a ketone compound (amino acceptor) and an amino compound (amino donor), wherein said amino acceptor is a compound represented by the following general formula (I):

• wherein n is 0 to 5;
• m is 0 or 1;
• and X represents an unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms;
• an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms and having one or more substitutents selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 4 to 15 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a nitro group, a carboxyl group, and a trifluoromethyl group;
• a substituted phenyl group selected from the group consisting of 2-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl;
• a methoxyl group;
• a pyridyl group;
• a pyrazinyl group;
• a thienyl group;
• a furyl group;
• or a thiazolyl group;
• and wherein said amino donor is a compound of an achiral form, a racemic form, or an (R)-form represented by the general formula (II):
• wherein X1 and X2 independently represent a hydrogen atom;
• a straight-chain alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms;
• a branched alkyl group having 5 to 12 carbon atoms;
• an unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms;
• an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms and having one or more substitutents selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a nitro group, and a carboxyl group;
• an aralkyl group having 7 to 16 carbon atoms and having one or more substitutents selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a hydroxyl group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a nitro group, and a carboxyl group;
• or a hydroxymethyl group, thereby giving an optically active (R)-amino compound represented by the general formula (IV):
• wherein n, m, and X have the same definitions as those of n, m, and X in the general formula (I), respectively.