Biocatalysis for the preparation of optically active beta-lactam precursors of amino acids

Enantioselective acylation of N-hydroxymethylated beta-lactams in the presence of Pseudomonas sp. lipase afforded optically active precursors for the preparation of (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-2-aminocyclopentane- and (1R,2S,3R,4S)- and (1S,2R,3S,4R)-3-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptanecarboxylic acids. Due to the high enantioselectivity (E = 90 and 62) and in order to minimize the enzymatic hydrolysis of the acylated products back to the starting alcohol, the reactions were performed in acetone. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd