Production of ring-substituted D-phenylglycines by microbial or enzymatic hydrolysis/deracemisation of the corresponding DL-hydantoins

A series of 17 ring-mono and -disubstituted D-phenylglycine derivatives was prepared in high enantiomeric purity by enzymatic hydrolysis and deracemisation of the corresponding DL-hydantoins, using D-hydantoinase activities of microorganisms or purified enzymes, followed by diazotation of the resulting N-carbamyl D-amino acids. No significant L-hydantoinase activity was found to produce the corresponding L-enantiomers. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.