Enzymatic preparation of optically active bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives, building blocks for terpenoid natural products. An attractive alternative to enantioselective Diels–Alder syntheses
Abstract
Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptene derivatives (1)–(3), building blocks for terpenoid natural products, have been prepared with high enantiometric purities by enzymatic hydrolysis of their racemic esters in the presence of porcine liver esterase (PLE) and an ester hydrolase from Pseudomonas sp. (SAM-II).