Process for the preparation of compounds with enhanced optical purity

Abstract

Process for the preparation of a compound with enhanced optical purity wherein a mixture of the enantiomers of a chiral compound of formula 1 wherein: R1 represents an alkyl or an aryl group R2 represents H, an alkyl or an aryl group Y represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, (CH2)nCOOH, (CH2)n—COOR, (CH2)n—CONRR′, CH2OH, or C≡N wherein R and R′ independently represent H, an alkyl or aryl group, and n represents 0 or 1, is brought into contact with an enzyme having peptide deformylase activity with a bivalent metal ion as a cofactor wherein the metal is chosen from the groups 5–11 of the periodic system, or for the preparation of a formylated compound with enhanced optical purity from a mixture of the enantiomers of the corresponding not formulated chiral compound in the presence of a formylation agent. Preferably the peptide deformylase is chosen from the class EC 3.5.2.27 or EC 3.5.1.31, and contains the sequences of (I) HEXXH, (ii) EGCLS and (iii) GXGXAAXQ. The bivalent metal may be chosen from the group of Fe, Ni, Mn and Co, preferably Ni or Fe.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.