Direct and indirect enzymatic methods for the preparation of enantiopure cyclic beta-amino acids and derivatives from beta-lactams

Direct enzymatic methods for the preparation of enantiopure cyclic -amino acids (e.g. cispentacin) and beta-lactams through the enzyme-catalyzed enantioselective ring opening of beta-lactams in water and organic solvents are reviewed. Indirect methods through the lipase-catalyzed asymmetric acylation of N-hydroxymethylated beta-lactarns or the lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the corresponding ester derivatives, followed by ring opening, are also surveyed.