REMARKABLE EFFECT OF D-SORBITOL ON THE 2ND STAGE IN THE PLE-CATALYZED HYDROLYZES OF A SIGMA-SYMMETRICAL DIESTER, CIS-CYCLOHEX-4-ENE-1,2-BIS(METHYL ACETATE)

Enantioselective hydrolysis of cis-cyclohex-4-ene-1,2-bis(methyl acetate) with porcine liver esterase (PLE) in the presence of D-sorbitol afforded a chiral monoester in a highly enantioselective manner. During the enzymatic hydrolyses, D-sorbitol efficiently accelerate the second stage; hydrolysis of the resultant minor monoester toward the dicarboxylic acid leaving the desired major monoester.