PURPOSE: To efficiently perform enzymatic resolution of enantiomers rich in the α-enantiomer that is useful as a synthetic intermediate for pharmaceuticals and the like in high yield by subjecting a specific enantiomer to selective enzymatic hydrolysis under specific conditions.
CONSTITUTION: An enantiomer of a racemic carboxylic acid ester of formula I [R1 and R2 are each a (substituted) alkyl, a (substituted) alkenyl, a (substituted) allyl; R3 is a (substituted) 1-8C alkyl, a (substituted) alkenyl, a (substituted) alkynyl, a (substituted) allyl; X is a (substituted) alkyl, a halogen, amino, hydrazino or the like; Y is O, S] is brought into contact with an aqueous medium in the presence of an enzyme that is obtained from Candida lipolytica and, can hydrolyze this ester up to a conversion rate of 5-95% under the conditions where R1, R2 and X are different one another, and has the N-terminal amino acid sequence represented by formula II, and the hydrolyzate is separated from the unreacting starting materials.
TATSUDO BURAISU
ARAN UOORUTSU
SUPENSAA SHIEEMUSU
ERIZABESU ROJIYAASU
