Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Process Employing Haloalkane Dehalogenase

The first dynamic kinetic resolution process with a haloalkane dehalogenase is described, allowing the efficient preparation of enantiopure alpha-hydroxyarnides from racemic alpha-bromoamides. A simple Membrane reactor is used to separate the enzyme from the nonsoluble, polymer based, and metal-free racemizing agent. A model substrate, N-pheny1-2-bromopropionamide, was converted to (S)-N-phenyl-2-hydroxypropionamide either with 63% yield and 95% e.e or with 78% yield and 88% e.e.