Process for the enzymatic resolution of the optical isomers of racemic ester derivatives of 3-mercapto-2- alkyl-propionic acid

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process is disclosed for the biotechnological resolution by means of stereoselective enzymatic thiotransesterification of the racemic mixture of the optical isomers of the compounds of formula (I): (I), wherein, R, R' and R", which can be either equal to or different, from, one another, represent a linear alkyl group of from C1 to C4, in the presence of an enzyme capable of selectively causing the reaction of thio-transesterification of the (L)-isomer to take place, with the (D)-isomer being kept substantially unchanged, and being then separated by means of known techniques.