A new preparation of optically active 4-chloro-3-acetoxybutyronitrile (AcBN
) was developed using the resting cells of bacteria. The resolution was bas
ed on enantioselective hydrolysis of the ester function of the substrate. (
R)-AcBN was prepared using Pseudomonas sp. DS-K-717, and the resulting (R)-
AcBN was obtained with high enantiomeric excess of >98% with a yield of 36%
during the microbial resolution step. (S)-AcBN was prepared in the same ma
nner using the resting cells of Pseudomonas sp. DS-K-19 and showed a high e
nantiomeric excess of >98%, with a yield of 32%. The enzyme activity was en
hanced and induced by the addition of AcBN, particularly the (R)-ester hydr
olysis, which was enhanced 20-fold. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ
ts reserved.