>From the answers I got it seems that there is no enantiospecific hydrolysis (non-enzymatic) of esters or amides available.

Is it true ?

It should be a useful reaction. Don't you agree ?

A. Simon

_____________________________________________
My original question:

> At 08:14 31/05/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >> Dear ORGLISTers,
> >> I want to resolve a racemic mixture of a carboxylic acid derivative.
> >> Do you know any non-enzymatic method ?
> >> If I use an enzymatic method would you predict better results with
> amides or esters ?
> >> TIA,
> >> Albert Simon

______________________________________________
My second message:

> >Thanks to all that answered my question suggesting the reaction of the
> acid with a chiral base and separation of the resulting distereoisomeric
> salts by crystalisation. (Or amidation with a chiral amine and separation
> of the resulting diastereoisomers.)
> >
> >However I had a different approach in mind. I meant an enantiospecific
> reaction that would hydrolyse one of the enantiomers faster than the other.
> Any suggestion ?
> >
> >I will summarize the answers I get.
> >
> >Thanks to all !
> >
> >A. Simon


__________________________________________
Answer to my second question:

> Albert
>
> If you can lay your hands on a copy of Enzymes in Organic Synthesis by Wong
> & Whitesides (Tetrahedron Organic Chemistry Series Vol 12, Pergamon 1994)
> there are many examples of the use of enzymes to hydrolyse racemic esters.
> Probably Pig liver esterase is the most readily available.
>
> Costa

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