A PROCESS FOR THE ENZYMATIC SEPARATION OF THE OPTICAL ISOMERS OF RACEMIC OXAZOLIDINONIC DERIVATIVES

摘要

A process for the separation of a racemic mixture of the S(+) and R(-) optical isomers of an oxazolidinone compound of the formula: (in which R is a straight or branched C1-C8 alkyl group) which process comprises reacting the racemic 3-alkyl-5-hydroxy-methyl-oxazolidin-2-one derivative of formula (I) with an esterifying compound which is (a) an ester of the formula: (in which R' is a straight or branched C1-C10 alkyl or alkenyl group, and R'' is a straight or branched C1-C4 alkyl or alkenyl group, a haloalkyl group or a diacylglycerolic group), (b) an acid of the formula: R'''-COOH (V) (in which R''' is a straight or branched C1-C20 alkyl or alkenyl group) or (c) an anhydride of the formula: (in which R is a straight or branched C1-C6 alkyl group) the reaction being carried out in the presence of an enzyme, immobilized on a porous carrier, capable of selectively giving rise to the esterification of the R(-) isomer, while leaving the S(+) isomer of the racemic starting compound of formula (I) substantially unchanged; and separating the S(+) isomer. >